Surgical site infection after trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures: a single centre retrospective analysis.

Surgical site infection (SSI) following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures is a rare but serious complication with incidence rate ranging from 1 to 3%. SSIs are associated with higher mortality and increased length of hospital stay resulting in higher healthcare costs and loss of life quality. In this retrospective analysis all patients with SSI following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures at the Department of Trauma Surgery were identified. We included all surgical procedures performed from 1992 to 2018, using data from electronic health records and SSI-Trauma-Registry. The aim was to describe epidemiological data, as well as to identify parameters correlating with the occurrence of SSI and mortality. Of 2753 patients, 53 (1.9%) developed SSI. Longer operative time was demonstrated among patients with SSI (P = 0.008). Mortality during the first postoperative year was significantly higher in the SSI group (32.1% vs. 19.1%; P = 0.018), with detection of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; HR 4.13, CI 95% 1.24-13.80; P = 0.021) or Enterococcus spp. (HR 5.58, CI 95% 1.67-18.65; P = 0.005) being independent risk factors. Male sex (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.86-2.73; P < 0.001) and higher mean age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06; P < 0.001) were found to be predictors for 1-year mortality in non-infected patients. SSI rate was low with 1.9% and longer duration of surgery was associated with infection. Patients with SSI had a higher 1-year mortality, with detection of MSSA, MRSA and enterococci significantly increasing the risk of dying. Male sex and higher age were risk factors for one-year mortality in patients without SSI.

Consistently High Frequency of Scooter Injuries in Children-Retrospective Data Analysis in a Level I Trauma Centre.

The aim of this retrospective study was to present an epidemiological overview of paediatric nonelectric-scooter-related injuries, focusing on changes in injury mechanism and frequency. A retrospective, descriptive data analysis at a Level I trauma centre, including patients aged from 0 to 18 years injured by riding nonelectric scooters, was performed. The observation period ranged from January 2015 to December 2022. The total study population consisted of 983 (mean age: 7.9 ± 4.0 years) children and adolescents, with most patients being male (800/983; 81.4%). The frequency of nonelectric scooter injuries was relatively consistent over the observation period. Patients sustained mostly minor injuries (lacerations, bone contusions, sprains) (527/983; 53.6%), followed by head injuries (238/983; 24.5%), limb fractures (166/983; 16.9%) and trunk injuries (52/983; 5.3%). However, a few patients sustained severe injuries, including skull fractures (7/238; 2.9%), intracranial haematoma (4/238; 1.7%) or lacerations of abdominal organs (4/52; 7.7%). This study presented a consistently high frequency of scooter injuries in children. Children under 15 years were the most affected by scooter-related injuries. Although most injuries were minor, serious injuries occurred that should not be underestimated. Hence, we emphasise the use of protection gear and recommend raising awareness among parents and children.

Functional outcome of an 'all-inside' technique in female anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at long-term follow-up: A gender-sensitive analysis.

BACKGROUND: As the awareness towards gender-specific therapies continues to increase among all fields of medicine, so does the need for gender-sensitive evaluations of established surgical techniques. With a higher likelihood of anterior cruciate ligament injury in women, a critical assessment of the functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction regarding patient sex is indispensable. Almost all pre-existing literature on this subject is based on anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions carried out before 2008, when 'all-inside' techniques did not exist. This implicates the need to investigate this technique towards its differences in outcome between male and female patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference concerning the functional outcome of an 'all-inside' technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in female patients when compared to a cohort of male patients matched for body mass index and age. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: All female patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an all-inside technique between 2011 and 2012 were examined for inclusion. Functional outcome parameters investigated included the Lysholm Knee Score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Visual Analogue Scale score and the Tegner Activity Scale. All parameters were documented before surgery and at 3-, 6-, 12- and >24 months follow-up. At 24-month follow-up, anterior-posterior knee laxity was tested using the KT-2000 arthrometer device. For comparison, an equivalent group of male patients who underwent the same procedure was matched. RESULTS: 27 female patients were matched with 27 male patients. The average age was 29 years, and a mean follow-up of 90 months could be achieved with 27 of patients reaching a follow-up of > 10 years. The evaluated scores showed no significant difference between female and male patients. Women presented with poorer functional outcome at 3- as well as 6-month follow-ups compared to men, without reaching statistical significance. After 12 months, no further differences could be found. CONCLUSION: This study proved that an all-inside technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is able to produce the same functional outcome in female as in male patients at long-term follow-up. The results on short-term outcome indicate the need for further research towards gender-specific differences after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, their potential causes and potential of improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Radiographic Outcomes of Conservative and Operative Treatment in Isolated L1 Fractures.

Background and Objectives: The adequate therapy of thoracolumbar fractures in the elderly population is still controversially discussed. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the results of conservatively and surgically treated younger (≤60a) and elderly patients (>60a) with fractures of L1. Materials and Methods: Patients (231) with isolated L1 fractures were included and treated at the University Clinic of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Division of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, during the observation period of 2012-2018. Results: Conservative treatment led to a significant increase in the vertebral and bi-segmental kyphosis angle in both age groups (young vertebral: p = 0.007; young bi-segmental: p = 0.044; old vertebral: p = 0.0001; old bis-segmental: p = 0.0001). A significant reduction in the vertebral angle in both age groups was achieved after operative treatment (young: p = 0.003, old: p = 0.007). The bi-segmental angle did not significantly improve after surgery in both age groups (≤60a: p = 0.07; >60a: p = 1.0). Conclusions: The study shows that conservative treatment does not seem to be sufficient for a correction of radiological parameters in young and elderly patients. In contrast, operative treatment led to a significant improvement of the vertebral kyphosis angle, without changing the bi-segmental kyphosis angle. These results suggest a greater benefit from operative treatment in patients ≤ 60a than in older patients.

Correlation of Fall Height, Fracture Severity and Clinical Outcome in Pediatric Supracondylar Fractures-A Retrospective Analysis with an Observation Period of 20 Years.

The most common cause leading to supracondylar humerus fractures in children is falling onto an outstretched arm. A correlation between fall height and fracture severity may be assumed but has not yet been described. The aim of this study was to show that fracture severity increases with fall height. Furthermore, the correlation between fracture severity and outcome was examined. A total of 971 children with supracondylar humerus fractures between January 2000 and December 2019 were included in this study. The correlations between fall height and fracture severity and between fracture severity and outcome were assessed. Increasing fall height correlates with fracture severity (p < 0.001; r = 0.24). Furthermore, the incidence of complications increases with fracture severity and a correlation was present accordingly (p < 0.001; r = 0.28). A total of 30 (3.1%) patients showed limitations in range of motion and/or persistent neurologic deficits at the latest follow-up. Type I fractures rarely lead to subsequent limitations. The correlation between increasing fall height and fracture severity was significant. Furthermore, children with type III and IV supracondylar fractures are more likely to develop complications or restrictions in movement than children with type I and II fractures. Hence, the initial fall height may be an indirect indicator of a more or less favorable outcome.

Functional Outcome of All-Soft-Tissue Quadriceps Tendon Autograft in ACL Reconstruction in Young and Athletic Patients at a Minimum Follow-Up of 1 Year.

To investigate the functional outcome in young and athletic patients with ACL injuries, treated with an all-soft-tissue quadriceps tendon autograft at a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Methods: Patients who received a QT autograft ACL reconstruction between August 2018 and December 2020 were included in this study. Range of motion in the operated knee was described at 6 and 18 weeks after surgery and the functional outcome parameters (Lysholm score, IKDC score and Tegner activity scale) were calculated at 6 and ≥ 12 months after surgery. Results: Forty patients were included in this study, of which 29 identified as male and 11 as female. The average age was 31.3 years (range 16 to 57 years) and the mean follow-up time was 16.8 months (range 12 to 30 months). All functional outcome scores showed improvement over the course of the follow-up: Lysholm score 94.2 to 95.5 (n.s.), IKDC score 90.1 to 93.9 (n.s.), Tegner activity scale 3.7 to 5.0 (p > 0.001), all at six months and ≥12 months. No reruptures happened during the time of the follow-up. Conclusions: This study shows that the all-soft-tissue quadriceps tendon autograft technique can improve functional outcome in young and athletic patients with an ACL injury at short to intermediate follow-up.

Patients with Prior Craniectomy or Craniotomy Have No Increased Risk of Acute Hemorrhage after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the risk of acute hemorrhagic complications in patients after either a decompressive craniectomy or a craniotomy sustaining a recurrent mild traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, we analyze whether there is a higher risk for acute hemorrhagic complications considering patients with anticoagulation compared with patients without anticoagulation in both groups. All patients with mild traumatic brain injuries after either decompressive craniectomy or craniotomy, treated between January 2005 and December 2020 at a single level 1 trauma center, were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were screened for intracranial bleeding after mild traumatic brain injury with computed tomography. Additionally, the type of anticoagulation and its relationship concerning the clinical outcome were assessed. A total of 188 patients who had sustained a mild traumatic brain injury were included in the study. Overall, 22 patients (11.7%) presented intracranial lesions. A bony defect (decompressive craniectomy) was present in 31 patients (16.5%). In 157 patients (83.5%) who underwent decompressive craniectomy, the bony defect was closed during a second operation. There was no significant correlation between both groups on the occurrence of intracranial bleeding (p = 0.216). Furthermore, no difference was present between patients with and without anticoagulation (p = 0.794) concerning acute hemorrhagic complications after recurrent traumatic brain injury. Pre-existing bony defects after decompressive craniectomy showed no higher risk for acute hemorrhagic complications after recurrent mild traumatic brain injury compared with patients who primarily underwent craniotomy. Anticoagulation did not influence the occurrence of intracranial bleeding after mild traumatic brain injury in patients with decompressive craniectomy.

Course of Treatment and Short-Term Outcome of Surgically Treated Paediatric Upper Limb Fractures during the COVID-19 Pandemic-Experiences of a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Central Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions led to a reduced number of surgeries. This study examines its impact on the course of treatment and clinical outcome of surgically treated paediatric upper limb fractures during that specific period. This retrospective cohort study evaluated all children aged 0-18 years presenting with an upper limb fracture treated surgically at the level 1 trauma centre of the University Clinic of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery of Vienna within lockdown from 16 March to 29 May 2020 (definition applied through corresponding legislation) compared to the same period from 2015 to 2019. A total number of 127 children (m:63; f:44) were included. The lockdown did not lead to a significant increase in complications during and after initial surgery. Time until removal of implant was not significantly prolonged (p = 0.068; p = 0.46). The clinical outcome did not significantly differ compared to previous years. The experience of a level 1 trauma centre showed that despite reduced surgical capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, no negative differences concerning course of treatment and clinical outcome of surgically treated paediatric upper limb fractures were present. These findings are still of importance since the COVID-19 pandemic continues and several countries in Central Europe are currently under their fourth lockdown.

Spine Fractures in Children and Adolescents-Frequency, Causes, Diagnostics, Therapy and Outcome-A STROBE-Compliant Retrospective Study at a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Central Europe.

The aim of this study was to present the frequencies and characteristics of paediatric spine fractures, focusing on injury mechanisms, diagnostics, management, and outcomes. This retrospective, epidemiological study evaluated all patients aged 0 to 18 years with spine fractures that were treated at a level 1 trauma centre between January 2002 and December 2019. The study population included 144 patients (mean age 14.5 ± 3.7 years; 40.3% female and 59.7% male), with a total of 269 fractures. Common injury mechanisms included fall from height injuries (45.8%), with an increasing prevalence of sport incidents (29.9%) and a decreasing prevalence of road incidents (20.8%). The most common localisation was the thoracic spine (43.1%), followed by the lumbar spine (38.2%), and the cervical spine (11.8%). Initially, 5.6% of patients had neurological deficits, which remained postoperatively in 4.2% of patients. Most (75.0%) of the patients were treated conservatively, although 25.0% were treated surgically. A small proportion, 3.5%, of patients presented postoperative complications. The present study emphasises the rarity of spinal fractures in children and adolescents and shows that cervical spine fractures are more frequent in older children, occurring with a higher rate in sport incidents. Over the last few years, a decrease in road incidents and an increase in sport incidents in paediatric spine fractures has been observed.

Management and Outcome of Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage in 79 Infants and Children from a Single Level 1 Trauma Center.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury is a leading form of pediatric trauma and a frequent cause of mortality and acquired neurological impairment in children. The aim of this study was to present the severity and outcomes of traumatic intracerebral bleeding in children and adolescence. METHODS: Seventy-nine infants and children with intracerebral bleedings were treated between 1992 and 2020 at a single level 1 trauma center. Data regarding accident, treatment and outcomes were collected retrospectively. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to classify the outcome at hospital discharge and at follow-up visits. CT scans of the brain were classified according to the Rotterdam score. RESULTS: In total, 41 (52%) patients with intracerebral bleedings were treated surgically, and 38 (48%) patients were treated conservatively; in 15% of the included patients, delayed surgery was necessary. Patients presenting multiple trauma (p < 0.04), higher ISS (p < 0.01), poor initial neurological status (p < 0.001) and a higher Rotterdamscore (p = 0.038) were significantly more often treated surgically. Eighty-three percent of patients were able to leave the hospital, and out of these patients, about 60% showed good recovery at the latest follow-up visit. Overall, 11 patients (14%) died. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study verified intracerebral bleeding as a rare but serious condition. Patients presenting with multiple traumas, higher initial ISS, poor initial neurological status and a higher Rotterdamscore were more likely treated by surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (researchregistry 2686).

Maintaining Medical Resources to Treat Paediatric Injuries during COVID-19 Lockdown Is Essential-An Epidemiological Analysis of a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Central Europe.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in the incidence of various categories of injuries, with the main focus on fractures and mild traumatic brain injuries in a paediatric population. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated all children from 0 to 18 years of age presenting with an injury at the level 1 trauma centre of the University Clinic of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery in Vienna during the lockdown from 16 March to 29 May 2020 compared to records over the same timeframe from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: In total, 14,707 patients with injuries were included. The lockdown did not lead to a significant decrease in fractures but, instead, yielded a highly significant increase in mild traumatic brain injuries when compared to all injuries that occurred (p = 0.082 and p = 0.0001) as well as acute injuries (excluding contusions, distortions and miscellaneous non-acute injuries) (p = 0.309 and p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of paediatric fractures did not decrease at the level 1 trauma centre, and a highly significant proportional increase in paediatric patients with mild traumatic brain injuries was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown. Therefore, medical resources should be maintained to treat paediatric trauma patients and provide neurological monitoring during pandemic lockdowns.

Direct comparison of 3D and 2D cultivation reveals higher osteogenic capacity of elderly osteoblasts in 3D.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was the investigation of the osteogenic potential of human osteoblasts of advanced donor age in 2D and 3D culture. METHODS: Osteoblasts were induced to osteogenic differentiation and cultivated, using the same polystyrene material in 2D and 3D culture for 2 weeks. Samples were taken to evaluate alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization and gene expression. RESULTS: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels were significantly increased (8.2-fold) on day 7 in 3D compared to day 0 (p < 0.0001) and 11.6-fold higher in 3D than in 2D (p < 0.0001). Both culture systems showed reduced osteocalcin (OC) levels (2D 85% and 3D 50% of basic value). Collagen type 1 (Col1) expression was elevated in 3D on day 7 (1.4-fold; p = 0.009). Osteopontin (OP) expression showed 6.5-fold higher levels on day 7 (p = 0.002) in 3D than in 2D. Mineralization was significantly higher in 3D on day 14 (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Advanced donor age human primary osteoblasts reveal significantly higher gene expression levels of OPG, Col1 and OP in 3D than in monolayer. Therefore, it seems that a relatively high potential of bone formation in a natural 3D arrangement is presumably still present in osteoblasts of elderly people. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 5217/11 on the 22nd of Dec. 2011.

Fractures of the trochanteric region in children and young adolescents-a treatment algorithm for a rare injury.

For femoral fractures of the trochanteric region in children and adolescents, only two mechanisms have been identified to cause a fracture of the proximal femur: high-energy trauma or predisposing bone pathologies with inadequate trauma (e.g., simple fall, movement). We identified 20 patients between 1993 and 2018 with a trochanteric fracture under the age of 18 (12 males; 8 females; mean age, 12 years; range, 4-17 years) who were treated operatively at our department. The mean follow-up of all patients was 50.06 months. All 20 patients were treated operatively. Complications occurred after a mean time of 6.27 months (range, 0.47 to 12.07 months) in two patients. Harris Hip Score was evaluated in all patients with a mean score of 94.16 (range 11 to 100). Eighty-five percent of the patients reached an excellent clinical outcome after treatment. Trochanteric femoral fractures in children and adolescents are very rare accounting for only 1% of all trochanteric fractures. Excellent long-term results can be achieved with an adequate fracture reduction.Conclusion: Physicians treating pediatric trauma have to be aware of other predisponding diseases when low-energy trauma leads to a trochanteric fracture as in this study, 50% of the trochanteric fractures were associated with bone pathologies. What is Known: • Trochanteric femoral fractures in children and adolescents are very rare • In all patients with trochanteric femoral fractures, malignancies have to be ruled out What is New: • Awareness of an underlying bone pathology in a high number of cases • Awareness for necessity of a good fracture reduction leading to highly satisfactory results.

Different storage times and their effect on the bending load to failure testing of murine bone tissue.

Cryopreservation is a well-established method for bone storage. However, the ideal timing of mechanical testing after sacrificing the experimental animals is still under discussion and of significant importance to the presentation of accurate results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare different cryopreservation durations to native murine bone and whether there was an influence on mechanical bone testing. For this study the tibias of 57 female C57BL/6 mice-18-weeks of age-were harvested and randomly allocated to one of four groups with varying storage times: (1) frozen at -80 °C for 3 months, (2) frozen at -80 °C for 6 months, (3) frozen at -80 °C for 12 months and (4) native group. The native group was immediately tested after harvesting. The comparison of the mean strength and load to failure rates demonstrated a significant difference between the storage groups compared to the native control (p = 0.007). However, there was no difference in the strength and the load to failure values of bones of all storage groups when compared against each other. Once cryopreservation at -80 °C is performed, no differences of mechanical bone properties are seen up to 12 months of storage. When actual in vivo data is of close interest, immediate testing should be considered and is preferred. If comparison of groups is required and long-time storage is necessary, cryopreservation seems to be an accurate method at present.

Author Correction: Effect of donor age and 3D-cultivation on osteogenic differentiation capacity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Effect of donor age and 3D-cultivation on osteogenic differentiation capacity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Age and co-morbidities compromise healing tendencies of traumatic fractures in geriatric patients. Non-healing fractures may need regenerative medicine techniques involving autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Donor age may affect the viability and differentiation capacity of MSCs. We investigated age-related differences in adipose-derived MSCs (AMSCs) concerning osteogenic potential in 2D and 3D cultivation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AMSCs were harvested from young (mean age: 37.5 ± 8.6 years) and old (mean age: 75.8 ± 9.2 years) patients. Cells were induced to osteogenic differentiation and cultivated in 2D and 3D for 14 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization and gene expression were investigated. RESULTS: ALP activity revealed highest levels in 3D of old AMSCs after 14 days. ALP expression showed significant rises in old vs. young cells in 2D (p = 0.0024). Osteoprotegerin revealed the highest levels in old AMSCs in 2D. Highest osteocalcin levels presented in young cells compared to old cells in 2D (p = 0.0258) and young cells in 3D (p = 0.0014). CONCLUSION: 3D arrangement of old AMSCs without growth factors is not ensuring superior osteogenesis in vitro. AMSCs, especially cells from older patients, reveal higher osteogenic potential in 2D than in 3D. 3D arrangement favors osteogenic potential of young cells.

Author Correction: Effect of two (short-term) storage methods on load to failure testing of murine bone tissue.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Circulating Myostatin Levels Decrease Transiently after Implantation of a Hip Hemi-Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle and bone metabolism are both important for the healing of fractures and the regeneration of injured muscle tissue. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate myostatin and other regulating factors in patients with hip fractures who underwent hemi-arthroplasty. METHODS: Serum levels of myostatin (MSTN), follistatin (FSTN), dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), and periostin (PSTN) as well as markers of bone turnover were evaluated in patients with hip fractures before surgery and twice in the 2 weeks after surgery. These parameters were also evaluated in age- and gender-matched subjects without major musculoskeletal injury. RESULTS: MSTN was transiently reduced; its opponent FSTN was transiently increased. Dkk1, the negative regulator of bone mass, and PSTN, a marker of subperiosteal bone formation, increased after surgery. With regard to markers of bone turnover, resorption was elevated during the entire period of observation whereas the early bone formation marker N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen was elevated 12 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly, MSTN, a negative regulator of muscle growth, was reduced after surgery compared with before surgery. As musculoskeletal markers are altered during bone healing, they do not reflect general bone metabolism after fracture or joint arthroplasty. This is important because many elderly patients receive treatment for osteoporosis.

Surgery of True Recurring Median Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Synovial Flap by Wulle Plus Integument Enlargement Leads to a High Patient's Satisfaction and Improved Functionality.

This prospective study was conducted to investigate electrophysiological qualities and patient's satisfaction of a synovial gliding tissue flap in treating true recurring carpal tunnel syndrome. In 14 patients (11 women, three men), 15 median nerves were included in this retrospective study. For all 15 nerves, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, compound muscle action potential, a Visual Analogue Scale-score (VAS-score) questionnaire and an adapted Levine-Test were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. All participants underwent operative neurolysis of the median nerve, which was then enwrapped by a synovial gliding tissue flap. Eleven procedures were completed by integument enlargement. Follow-up period was 12 months. Postoperatively, distal latency decreased significantly by 15.6%. Compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve conduction velocity did not improve significantly. VAS score regarding pain reduced highly significantly with 74.1%. The adapted Levine-Test function score improved highly significantly with 39.2%. The synovial gliding tissue flap lead to an excellent patient's satisfaction for treating true recurring carpal tunnel syndrome. Primary wound closure should be completed with integument enlargement if needed.

Effect of two (short-term) storage methods on load to failure testing of murine bone tissue.

Since mechanical testing of bone quality is often delayed following euthanasia, the method of bone storage is of high importance in animal studies. Different storage methods may cause a change in the properties of bone tissue during mechanical testing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effects of two different fixation methods for bone tissue. We hypothesized that there is a difference between the load to failure values between the two groups. The tibias of fifteen 18-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were harvested and randomly allocated to three different groups with varying storage methods: (1) frozen at -80 °C, (2) paraformaldehyde working solution, and (3) native group. A storage time of two weeks prior to testing was chosen for groups 1 and 2. In group 3, referred to as the "native group", bones were immediately tested after the harvesting procedure. The comparison of the mean load to failure of all 3 groups (group 1: 28.7 N ± 6.1 N, group 2: 23.8 N ± 3.8 N and group 3: 23.7 N ± 5.7 N) did not reveal a significant difference. There was also no difference in strength or stiffness. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the two most common storage methods, do not have an influence on the biomechanical properties of murine bone over a two week period.