Mandala M, Shaunak S, Kreitmair P, Phadnis J, Guryel E. Biomechanical comparison of headless compression screws versus independent locking screw for intra-articular fractures.
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2024;
34:1319-1325. [PMID:
38112781 PMCID:
PMC10980631 DOI:
10.1007/s00590-023-03792-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Headless compression screws (HCS) have a variable thread pitch and headless design enabling them to embed below the articular surface and generate compression force for fracture healing without restricting movement. Locking screws have greater variety of dimensions and a threaded pitch mirroring the design of the HCS. The objective of this study is to determine whether locking screws can generate compression force and compare the compressive forces generated by HCS versus locking screws.
METHOD
A comparison between 3.5-mm HCS versus 3.5-mm locking screws and 2.8-mm HCS versus 2.7-mm locking screws was performed using a synthetic foam bone model (Synbone) and FlexiForce sensors to record the compression forces (N). The mean peak compression force was calculated from a sample of 3 screws for each screw type. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA test and statistical significance was determined to be p = < 0.05.
RESULTS
The 3.5-mm Synthes and Smith and Nephew locking screws generated similar peak compression forces to the 3.5-mm Acutrak 2 headless compression screws with no statistically significant difference between them. The smaller 2.7-mm Synthes and Smith and Nephew locking screws initially generated similar compressive forces up to 1.5 and 2 revolutions, respectively, but their peak compression force was less compared to the 2.8-mm Micro Acutrak 2 HCS.
CONCLUSION
Locking screws are able to generate compressive forces and may be a viable alternative to headless compressive screws supporting their use for intra-articular fractures.
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