Pathologic femoral shaft fractures comparing fixation techniques using cement.

Abstract

To determine the most stable mode of internal fixation for the pathologic femoral shaft fracture with extensive cortical destruction, 2 fixation techniques incorporating methylmethacrylate were compared. Osteotomies through standardized cortical defects were created in intact embalmed femora to simulate a standard pathologic fracture. Fixation obtained with either intramedullary Schneider rods or 28-hold ASIF plates, both using bone cement, was compared in torsion and bending. In torsion, plate-fixed femora failed at a mean load of 71.2 newton-meters compared to 26.8 newton-meters for the Schneider rod counterparts. In bending, plate-fixed bones at a mean load of 8133.9 newtons compared to 1921.4 newtons for rod-fixed femora. Fixation with double plates and methylmethacrylate was clearly more stable and allowed for immediate pain-free ambulation.

• Authors: J T Anderson, J M Erickson, R C Thompson Jr, E Y Chao
• Journal: Clinical orthopaedics and related research (Clin Orthop Relat Res) 1978 Mar-Apr Issue 131 Pg. 273-8 ISSN: 0009-921X [Print] United States
• PMID: 657635 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methylmethacrylates

Topics

• Femoral Fractures (therapy)
• Fracture Fixation (methods)
• Fracture Fixation, Internal
• Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
• Fractures, Spontaneous (therapy)
• Humans
• Methylmethacrylates (therapeutic use)