ABSTRACT
Objective To compare biomechanical properties between the anatomical clavicle plate and the reconstructed clavicle plate, and investigate the influence of pre-bending or repeated bending process on biomechanical properties of the reconstructed clavicle plate, so as to provide biomechanical evidence for treating midshaft clavicle fracture in clinic. Methods The reconstructed clavicle plate was bent by 1, 2, 3, 5 times respectively based on shape of the anatomical clavicle plate. The biomechanical differences in anatomical plate group, reconstructed plate group and pre-bending plate group were compared by static compression test. Results The fixation stiffness and strength of the anatomical plate were better than those of the reconstructed plate. There was no significant difference in stiffness and strength between the anatomical plate group and one-time bending group. Pre-bending had a great effect on mechanical properties of the clavicle plate, and stiffness and strength of the clavicle plate were obviously improved after one-time bending. The mechanical properties of the clavicle plate were obviously reduced by bending of the clavicle plate after one-time bending. Conclusions The stiffness and strength of the anatomical plate and one-time bending plate are higher than those of the normal reconstructed plate. It is recommended that surgeons should perform bending appropriately according to the patient’s clavicle anatomy when using the reconstructed clavicle plate for fracture fixation, and minimize the number of repeated bending to maintain stiffness and strength of the clavicle plate.