A biomechanical Comparison of Different Fixation Techniques on Intercondylar Eminence Fractures of Tibia

ABSTRACT

Methods of internal fixation for displaced intercondylar eminence fractures of tibia are percutaneous pinning, pull-out knot with wire or nylon and screw fixation. We tried experimental tensile test on four different fixation methods with 60 fresh pig knees. The results were as follows. 1. In our experimental study, the maximum tensile strength(M.T.S.) was recorded average 73.49N in the group of percutaneous pinning, 133.01N in Ethilon used group, 198.01N in wire used group and 275.05N in screw fixed group. 2. The group of percutaneous pinning with K-wires showed the lowest value of M.T.S., therefore, this method of fixation must be discarded. 3. The M.T.S of pull-out knot tie was about twice as high as that of percutaneous pinning. But the method of knotting should be improved because of the failure around the knot. 4. The group of screw fixation showed the highest value of M.T.S., but this method of fixation has some problems, like as arthrotomy or difficulty of removal of hardware.