Stiffness of simulated radial neck fractures fixed with 4 different devices

We performed a structural investigation of several fixation devices for rad ial head and neck fixation. Fourteen pairs of fresh-frozen human elbows wer e used to simulate unstable radial neck fractures fixed with each of the fo llowing plates: 2.0-mm T-plate, 2.0-mm blade plate, 2.7-mm T-plate, and 2.9 -mm T-plate modified with a fixed-angle blade. The plate constructs were ax ially loaded in compression with a materials testing machine, and stiffness was calculated from a load-deformation curve. Through use of paired compar isons, the average stiffness of the modified 2.7-mm plate was found to be s ignificantly greater than that of either 2.0-mm plate, whereas a trend was observed For increased stiffness of the modified 2.7-mm T-plate in comparis on with the standard 2.7-mm T-plate. The results indicate that two importan t variables affecting construct stiffness are plate thickness and incorpora tion of a fixed-angle blade. Given these findings, the addition of a fixed blade to the 2.7-mm plate may improve the stability of fixation of comminut ed radial neck fractures.