Fixation of Periprosthetic Femur Fractures: A Biomechanical Analysis Comparing Cortical Strut Allograft Plates and Conventional Metal Plates

• DOI: 10.3928/0147-7447-20030701-13
• Publication Date: 2021-04-22T12:39:02Z
• Authors: Christopher L Peters; Kent N Bachus; James S Davitt
• Keywords: Bone Transplantation; Sensitivity and Specificity; Biomechanical Phenomena; Fracture Fixation, Internal; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Metals; Tensile Strength; Cadaver; Humans; Transplantation, Homologous; Hip Prosthesis; Stress, Mechanical; Bone Plates; Femoral Fractures

Abstract This study compared the stability of periprosthetic femur fractures fixed using cortical allograft struts with a metal plate. Cadaveric specimens were loaded in single-leg stance and stair climbing to 2250 N. Optimum stability in single-leg stance was achieved with two long struts medially and laterally. No clear advantage was noted in using a second strut in stair climbing. Cables rather than wires were useful in single-leg stance, but not in stair climbing. Allograft cortical struts are a biomechanically sound alternative to metal plates fixed with screws and cables for femur fracture fixation below a well-fixed femoral component.