Biomechanical study of Proximal humeral fracture fixation: Locking plate with medial support screw vs. locking plate with intramedullary fibular graft.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of two different fixation constructs in varus collapse proximal humerus fracture, locking plate with medial support screw and locking plate with intramedullary fibular graft.

METHODS

We used 8 pairs of undamaged fresh-frozen humen cadaveric humeri and fibula from patients ranging in age from 62 to 81 years. We simulated a proximal humerus fracture with medial comminution using wedge shaped osteotomy. One group was fixed with locking plate with medial support screws, the other group with locking plate with intramedullary fibular graft. Biomechanical test was carried out using servohydraulic material testing system. We measured displacement of specimens under cyclic load test, maximum failure load, initial stiffness, and mode of failure under increasing load test.

FINDINGS

Under cyclic loading, the displacement of the specimen was significantly less in the locking plate with fibular strut graft group than in the locking plate with medial support screws group. (p = 0.012) Under increasing load test, the Locking plate with fibular strut graft group showed higher values in both maximum failure load and initial stiffness than the Locking plate with medial support screws group, and this was statistically significant. (p = 0.012, p = 0.001).

INTERPRETATION

In biomechanical study, the locking plate with fibular strut graft showed significantly better results in all of the maximum failure load, initial stiffness, and gap depletion compared to the locking plate with medial support screws.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.