Stabilization of the Posteromedial Fragment in Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Mechanical Comparison of Locking and Nonlocking Single and Dual Plating Methods

• DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3181e17060
• Publication Date: 2010-07-12T10:35:53Z
• Authors: Brad J. Yoo; Daphne M. Beinges...; David P. Barei
• Keywords: Adult; Tibial Fractures; Weight-Bearing; Fracture Fixation, Internal; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Bone Screws; Humans; Stress, Mechanical; Bone Plates

Background: The objective of this study is to compare locking and nonlocking single dual plating constructs in maintaining posteromedial fragment reduction a bicondylar tibial plateau fracture model. We hypothesized that fixation with medial lateral nonlocked would tolerate higher loads than locked alone. Methods: Thirty composite tibiae were fractured (AO 41-C1.3). Six tested: (1) 3.5-mm conventional proximal plate (CP); (2) CP + limited contact dynamic compression plate; (3) 1/3 tubular (CP tubular); (4) Zimmer Proximal Tibial Locking (5) Synthes Compression (6) Less Invasive Stabilization System plate. Specimens cyclically loaded failure or maximum 4000 N. Results: Failure occurred at the first. had highest average load (3040 N). demonstrated compared (p = 0.0060) 0.0360). did not demonstrate difference when 0.4225), 0.4799), 0.1595). Conclusions: tolerated construct. superiority construct may be caused by unreliable penetration screws.