A SPECIAL PLATE FOR ARTHRODESIS OF THE WRIST - DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS AND BIOMECHANICAL TESTING

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the strength and mo de of failure of a plate specifically designed for wrist arthrodesis. An eight-hole plate was constructed with a solid central portion and a distal taper. Four 2.7 mm screws were used in the distal (metacarpal) portion of the plate. Four 3.5 mm screws were used in the proximal (r adius) portion. The strength of the wrist arthrodesis plate was compar ed with that of a conventional 10-hole 3.5 dynamic compression plate b y gap testing and a paired cadaver wrist arthrodesis construct. The st rength of the wrist arthrodesis plate was similar to the strength of t he conventional dynamic compression plate when applied to cadaver wris t arthrodesis constructs. Failure of the wrist arthrodesis constructs occurred through bone without deformation of either plate.