PURPOSE The objective of this study was to assess the biomechanical properties of bicortical locking screws, unicortical locking screws, and unicortical far-cortex-abutting locking screw fixation in a cadaver model of comminuted midshaft clavicle fractures stabilized with a locking plate placed on the superior surface of the clavicle. METHODS Nine pairs of adult fresh-frozen cadaver clavicles...

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of computerized virtual planning for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of proximal humeral fractures. Between June 2011 and July 2013, a total of 46 patients with proximal humeral fractures were included in the current study. Preoperatively, fracture data were obtained via computed tomography (CT) reconstruction. Based on the dataset obtained fr...

Eighteen screw-shaped extraoral osseointegrated implants retrieved from 10 patients were analysed by microradiography. Retrieved implants were trephined with a border of surrounding bone, fixed, embedded in epon plastic, ground and processed for microradiography. The reasons for retrieval were unexplained pain (n = 4), inability to cope with the implants (n = 2), fracture of central screw (n = ...

When inserting screws into a vertebral pedicle, the surgeon usually exposes the back part of the vertebra and uses his or her anatomic knowledge to align the drill in the proper direction. A slight error in direction may result in an important error in the position of the tip of the screw. This is done with no direct visibility of crucial structures (spinal cord, pleura, vessels). Statistical a...

The intralaminar screw construct has been recently introduced in C6-C7 fixation. The aim of the study is to compare the stability afforded by three different C7 posterior fixation techniques using a three-dimensional finite element model of a C6-C7 cervical spine motion segment. Finite element models representing three different cervical anchor types (C7 intralaminar screw, C7 lateral mass scre...

To compare the mechanical effectiveness of a new conical screw design with a conventional cylindrical screw design, the screw insertion time, torque, and pull-out strength of single-pedicle screw and triangulated-pedicle screw constructs of each type of screw were compared in human cadaveric vertebral bodies. The time required to insert the conical screws was less than that required for cylindr...

STUDY DESIGN Pedicle screw strength or load to failure was biomechanically evaluated, and the geometric characteristics of pedicle screw instrumentation systems were compared. OBJECTIVES To compare the features of pedicle screw systems, and to demonstrate the failure point of the polyaxial pedicle screw head. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Many pedicle screw instrumentation systems are currentl...

The Extra cortical Clamp Device (ECD) is a novel fixation element designed for use in external fixation assemblies. Unlike standard transosseous fixation elements such as fine wires or the Schanz screw, the ECD avoids the intramedullary canal by obtaining capture of the bone segment external to the periosteal surface of diaphyseal bone. The prime advantage of this is to avoid disruption of, and...