Abstract
To determine the most stable mode of internal fixation for the pathologic femoral shaft fracture with extensive cortical destruction, 2 fixation techniques incorporating methyl-methacrylate 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 2 8-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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 273-278 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Clinical orthopaedics and related research |
Volume | 131 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1978 |
Externally published | Yes |