COMPOUND OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF PATHOLOGICAL FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL FEMORAL-SHAFT - EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE BIOMECHANICAL EFFECTS OF ADDITIONAL INTRAMEDULLARY SPLINTING

The biomechanical stability of two compound osteosynthesis techniques with and without intramedullary splinting were compared in 20 paired c adaver femora. Group A was stabilised using a contoured 12-hole DC pla te and polymethylmethacrylate cement. In group B an additional intrame dullary semi-diameter osteosynthesis plate was inserted parallel to th e outer plate and transfixed with the same screws. The specimens were tested in a universal testing machine using a force applied to the spe cimen at 45 degrees to the load to provoke the most unfavourable condi tion, consisting of a bending moment and torsion. Both force and exten sion were recorded. The compound osteosynthesis with an additional int ramedullary plate (group B) reached an average higher load stability. This increase of stability was not significant statistically.