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Rotational stability in screw-fixed scaphoid fractures compared to plate-fixed scaphoid fractures

  • Handsurgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The literature describes the treatment of scaphoid fractures comparing the volar and dorsal approaches, the advantages and disadvantages of percutaneous screw fixation, as well as the treatment of scaphoid nonunions using different types of cancellous or corticocancellous bone grafts. Yet, to date no studies are available comparing the outcome of rotational stability in screw-fixed scaphoid fractures to angular stable systems. The purpose of this study is to provide reliable data about rotational stability in stabilised scaphoid fractures and to gain information about the rigidity and the stability of the different types of fixation.

Methods

Three groups of different stabilisation methods on standardised scaphoid B2 fractures were tested for rotational stability. Stabilisation was achieved using one or two cannulated compression screws (CCS) or angular stable plating. We performed ten repetitive cycles up to 10°, 20° and 30° rotation, measuring the maximum torque and the average dissipated work at angle level.

Results

Our study showed that rotational stability using a two CCS fixation is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than single CCS fixation. Using the angular stable plate system was also superior to the single CCS (p < 0.05). There was, however, no significant difference between two CCS fixation and angular stable plate fixation.

Conclusion

Even though indications of using screws or plate systems might be different and plate osteosynthesis may be preferable in treatment of dislocated or comminuted fractures as well as for nonunions, our study showed a better rotational stability by choosing more than just one screw for osteosynthesis. Angular stable plating of scaphoid fractures also provides more rotational stability than single CCS fixation. The authors therefore hypothesise higher union rates in scaphoid fractures using more stable fixation systems.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Adrian Spiegel for his support. Without his input and help we could not have managed to finish our study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AUVA Trauma Hospital Lorenz Böhler–European Hand Trauma Centre, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    Josef Jurkowitsch, S. Quadlbauer, Ch. Pezzei & M. Leixnering

  2. Department of Oncology and Metabolism and Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    E. Dall’Ara

  3. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental und Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    S. Quadlbauer & I. Jung

  4. Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200, Vienna, Austria

    S. Quadlbauer

  5. Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics (ILSB), Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    D. Pahr

Authors
  1. Josef Jurkowitsch
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  2. E. Dall’Ara
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  3. S. Quadlbauer
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  4. Ch. Pezzei
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  5. I. Jung
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  6. D. Pahr
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  7. M. Leixnering
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josef Jurkowitsch.

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Conflict of interest

Josef Jurkowitsch, M.D. received an International Bone Research Association (IBRA) Research Grant for carrying out this biomechanical study. All other authors, their immediate families, and any research foundations with which they are affiliated have not received any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.

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Jurkowitsch, J., Dall’Ara, E., Quadlbauer, S. et al. Rotational stability in screw-fixed scaphoid fractures compared to plate-fixed scaphoid fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 136, 1623–1628 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-016-2556-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-016-2556-z

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