BIOMECHANICAL COMPARISON OF MEDIAL VERSUS LATERAL SIDED PLATING IN FEMORAL FRACTURES

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the side of application of the plate itself affects the mechanical stability of the fixation. The specific question addressed is whether or not a lateral or medial plate application is biomechanically better, for the treatment of distal diaphysis fractures of the femur. Methods: Stability and stiffness of medial sided plating relative to the conventional lateral sided plating in distal diaphysis of the femur were measured by analyzing axial loading forces leading to implant failure. Sixty synthetic femurs were tested in physiological bending, to calculate the yield and ultimate load to displacement following fixation of distal diaphysis fractures of the femur by either medial or lateral sided plating. Axial loading was applied to samples using a uniaxial testing machine. Results: There was more implant deformation in the lateral sided plating group – a difference with statistical significance. Conclusion: Medial sided plating was found to be as stiff as lateral plating. Medial plating may be a reasonable treatment option that can be used safely in selected cases. Level of Evidence I, Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在明确接骨板的置入侧是否会影响固定的机械稳定性，具体探究股骨远端骨干骨折治疗中，内侧接骨板置入与外侧接骨板置入何者生物力学性能更优。
方法：通过分析导致植入物失效的轴向加载力，测量股骨远端骨干骨折采用内侧接骨板置入相较于常规外侧接骨板置入后的稳定性与刚度。本研究使用60根合成股骨开展生理弯曲加载测试，以计算经内侧或外侧接骨板固定的股骨远端骨干骨折试件的屈服载荷与极限位移载荷。采用单轴试验机对样本施加轴向载荷。
结果：外侧接骨板组的植入物变形量更大，该差异具有统计学显著性。
结论：本研究发现，内侧接骨板置入的刚度与外侧接骨板置入相当。内侧接骨板置入或可作为一种合理的治疗选择，在筛选后的特定病例中安全应用。
证据等级：I级，旨在探究治疗效果的治疗性研究。