Bone Loss after Internal Fixation Using Plates, Determination in Humans Using Computed Tomography

Summary

Bone loss after internal fixation is assumed to be the cause of refracture after e.g. plate removal. The scatter of reported refracture rate and the limited data available on quantitative changes in the human have triggered the study o radiological bone density using computed tomography. 30 patients were assessed on both legs at the level of the fracture. The average bone loss was offset by an increase in the total area of bone. 1/3 of the fractures had healed radiolog ically “per primam”. Here the data from the intact side and the fracture side was of similar geometry but reduced density for the fractured side. The mechanical effect of the bone loss seems to be small.