Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2004; 17(03): 136-140
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632801
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Pull-out strength of orthopaedic screws in polymethylmethacrylate filled medullary cavities of foal third metacarpal bones

G. A. Sod
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
,
G. S. Martin
2   Sawtooth Equine Service, Bellevue, ID, USA
,
M. S. Gill
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 08 September 2003

Accepted 22 January 2004

Publication Date:
08 February 2018 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro pull-out force and strength of 4.5-mm and 5.5-mm cortical screws inserted in the diaphysis of foal third metacarpal bones with and without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filling the medullary cavity. Filling the medullary cavity with PMMA significantly increased the pull-out force of 4.5-mm screws by 2.0-fold, and 5.5-mm screws by 2.2-fold, compared to controls (p < 0.001). Also the mean pull-out strength per mm of bones filled with PMMA was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than empty control bones. Our results suggest that filling the medullary cavity with PMMA at sites of greater stress, such as the ends of the plate and near the fracture site, may result in a more stable internal fixation.

Keywords

Pull-out strength - cortical screws - polymethylmethacrylate - foal - third metacarpal
 

  • References

  • 1 Auer JA. Metacarpal (-tarsal) shaft. In: Fackelman GE, Auer JA, Nunamaker DM. (eds). AO Principles of Equine Osteosynthesis. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000: 179.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 2 Auer JA. Principles of fracture treatment. In: Auer JA, Stick JA. (eds). Equine Surgery. 2nd edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 1999: 644.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 3 Bramlage LA. Long bone fractures. Vet Clin North Am Large Anim Pract 1983; 05: 285.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Brooks DB, Burstein AH, Frankel VH. The biomechanics of torsional fractures: stress concentration effect of a drill hole. J Bone Joint Surg 1970; 52: 507-14.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Calhoun JH, Mader JT. Antibiotic beads in the management of surgical infections. Am J Surg 1989; 157: 443-9.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Cockshutt JR. Bone infection. In: Sumner-Smith G. (ed). Bone in Clinical Orthopedics. 92nd edition. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2002: 205-17.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 7 Dixon WJ, Massey FJ. Introduction to statistical analysis. 4th edition. New York: McGraw Hill; 1983
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 8 Edgerton BC, An KN, Morrey BF. Torsional strength reduction due to cortical defects in bone. J Orthop Res 1990; 08: 851-5.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Haas SS, Brauer GM, Dickson G. A characterization of polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement. J Bone Joint Surg 1975; 57: 380-91.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Hanson PD, Markel MD. Radiographic geometric variation of equine long bones. Am J Vet Res 1994; 55: 1120-7.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Hughes AN, Jordan BA. The mechanical properties of surgical bone screws and some aspects of insertion practice. Injury 1972; 04: 25-38.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Klause SE, Gustafson SB, Blackketter DM, Schwarz PD. Holding strength of 4.5 mm cortical screws in polymethylmethacrylate filled medullary cavities of canine bone. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1992; 05: 109-13.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Koranyi E, Bowman CE, Knecht D, Janssen M. Holding power of orthopaedic screws in bone. Clin Orthop 1972; 72: 283-6.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Kuzma AB, Hunter B. A new technique for avian fracture repair using intramedullary polymethylmethacrylate and bone plate fixation. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1991; 27: 239-48.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Nunamaker DN. General techniques and biomechanics. In: Fackelman GE, Auer JA, Nunamaker DM. (eds). AO Principles of Equine Osteosynthesis. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000: 11.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 16 Nunamaker DN. Orthopaedic implant failure. In: Nixon AJ. (ed). Equine Fracture Repair. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 1996: 352.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 17 Nunamaker DM, Richardson DW, Butterweck DM. Mechanical and biological effects of plate luting. J Orthop Trauma 1991; 05: 138-45.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Nunamaker DN, Butterweck DM, Provost MT. Some geometric properties of the third metacarpal bone: A comparison between Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorse. J Biomech 1989; 22: 129-34.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Perren SM. Basic aspects of internal fixation. In: Muller ME, Allgower M, Schneider R, Willenegger H. (eds). Manual of Internal Fixation. 3rd edition. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1991. 33 and 54.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 20 Schatzker J, Sanderson R, Murnaghan JP. The holding power of orthopaedic screws in vivo. Clin Orthop 1975; 108: 115-26.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Schneider RK, Jackman BR. Fractures of the third metacarpus and metatarsus. In: Nixon AJ. (ed). Equine Fracture Repair. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 1996: 179.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 22 Sedrish SA, Moore RM, Kelly K, Martin GS, Burba DJ. Pull-out strength of screws in foal third metacarpal bone after overdrilling a 4.5 mm hole. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1998; 11: 200-4.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Straw RC, Powers BE, Withrow SJ, Cooper MF, Turner AS. The effect of intramedullary polymethylmethacrylate on healing of intercalary cortical allografts in a canine model. J Orthop Res 1992; 10: 434-9.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Wilson JW. Blood supply to developing, mature, and healing bone. In: Sumner-Smith G. (ed). Bone in Clinical Orthopaedics. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2002: 75-80. 100-2.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 25 Yovich JV, Turner AS, Smith FW. Holding power of orthopaedic screws in equine third metacarpal and metatarsal bones. Part I. Foal bone. Vet Surg 1985; 14: 221-9.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Yovich JV, Turner AS, Smith FW. Holding power of orthopaedic screws in equine third metacarpal and metatarsal bones. Part II. Adult horse bone. Vet Surg 1985; 14: 230-4.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar