Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2013, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (4): 728-735.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.04.025

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Mechanical analysis of locking compression plate fixation for the treatment of tibial fracture

Sun Xiang1, 2, Kan Shi-lian2, Yuan Tian-xiang2   

  1. Sun Xiang1, 2, Kan Shi-lian2, Yuan Tian-xiang2
  • Received:2012-06-13 Revised:2013-01-05 Online:2013-01-22 Published:2013-01-22
  • Contact: Sun Xiang★, Studying for master’s degree, Physician, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China Edgar_x@126.com
  • About author:Sun Xiang★, Studying for master’s degree, Physician, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China Edgar_x@126.com

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Locking compression plate combines with traditional steel plate and bracket principle, which has locking threaded screws on head and mounting bracket lock unit composed with steel locking nail holes, aswell as the internal fixation bracket pressurized unit composed with traditional screws and dynamic compression holes. So the locking compression plate has many advantages in the treatment of fracture fixation.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biomechanical characteristics and effect of locking compression plate in the treatment of tibial fracture.
METHODS: Locking compression plate could achieve the fracture fixation depended on the angular stability of steel plate and screws and the pullout strength between crews and bone. When the marrow cavitsy was small, the top of the screw should be avoided to damage the proximal cortical bone threaded, and then the screws should be changed into the bicortical self-tapping screws at least in order to obtain the pullout strength from the contralateral cortical bone. Screw implantation for the treatment of osteoporosis, due to the reduced working length of unicortical screw fixation, the bicortical self-tapping screws were used in all the fracture fragments to improve the working length of the screws. When the alignment between the long bone axis and steel plate was not in order, implanting the long self-tapping screws or changing the angle to implant the standard screws were preferred. The locking compression plate should select a appropriate length. The length of the locking compression plate depended on the length and the density of the plate and screw. The stress between plate and screw was also affected by the number and the position of the screw.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Locking compression plate fixation can be used for the treatment of backbone or metaphyseal simple fracture, comminuted fracture, intra-articular and periarticular fractures, delayed fracture healing, closed or open osteotomy and the shaft fracture which is not suitable for intramedullary nailing. And for the fixation of osteoporotic fractures and periprosthetic fractures, the locking compression plate has good angular stability and pullout strength. Locking compression plate fixation for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures has achieved satisfactory results, which in line with the biomechanics fixed principles. Surgeons need to be familiar with the fixation techniques of locking compression plate, in order to avoid mistakes-caused failure fixation.

Key words: bone and joint implants, academic discussion of bone and joint implants, locking compression plate, tibial fracture, biomechanics, internal fixation, plate, screw, anatomic reduction, compressive fixation, anatomical plate, comminuted fractures, pull-out force, bending stress, angular stability, anti-fatigue test, infection, delayed fracture healing

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