Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1993; 06(04): 188-193
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633056
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Internal Fixation of Femoral Neck Fractures in the Dog -an in vitro Study

N. E. Lambrechts
1   Department of Surgery, South Africa
,
F. J.M. Verstraete
1   Department of Surgery, South Africa
,
G. Sumner-Smith
5   Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada
,
A.D. Raath
2   Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, South Africa
,
M.J. van der Linde
3   Department of Information Management, South Africa
,
H. T. Groeneveld
4   Department of Statistics of the University of Pretoria, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 02 February 1993

Publication Date:
06 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

The in vitro performances of four recognized fixation methods of femur neck fractures in the dog were evaluated. After a simulated basilar fracture, three multiple pin techniques and a lag screw method were applied to four groups of nine freshly dissected femurs. A standardized force was applied to all specimens as well as five intact femurs and the force-deformation curve and yield points were recorded. Radiographs were taken to determine the mode of failure. The results indicate that the lag screw and three-parallel-pin techniques were significantly stronger than the two-pin methods. The pin techniques failed by either bending and/or slippage, while the lag screw failed by bending and/or pulling in of the screw head into the lateral femoral cortex.

An in vitro study, comparing the mechanical performances of four fixation techniques for femoral neck fracture fixation, is presented. The lag screw and three-pin techniques were stronger than the two double-pin techniques. Fixation failure occurred through bending or slippage of the pins, or through bending of the screws or pulling of the screw head into the lateral femoral cortex.