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)

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.

 
  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Cawley AJ, Archibald J, Ditchfield WJB. Fractures of the neck of the femur in the dog. I. A technique for repair of fractures of the femoral neck. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1956; 15: 354-8.
  • 2 Daly WR. Femoral head and ncck fractures in the dog and cat. A review of 115 cases. Vet Surg 1978; 7: 29-38.
  • 3 Hulse DA, Wilson JW, Butler HC. Use of the lag screw principle for stabilization of femoral neck and femoral capital epiphyseal fractures. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1974; 10: 29-36.
  • 4 Matis U, Waibl H. Proximale Femurfrakturen bei Katze und Hund. Tierarztl Prax 1985; 13 (Suppl. 01) 159-78.
  • 5 Nunamaker DM. Repair of femoral head and neck fractures by interfragmentary compression. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1973; 162: 569-72.
  • 6 Pricur WD. Coxarthrosis in the dog. Part 1: Normal and abnormal biomechanics of the hip joint. Vet Surg 1980; 9: 145-50.
  • 7 Christie J, Howie CR, Armour PC. Fixation of displaced subcapital femoral fractures. Compression screw fixation versus double divergent pins. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1988; 70-B: 199-201.
  • 8 Høgh J, Jensen J, Lauritzen J. Dislocated femoral neck fractures. A follow-up study of 98 cases treated by multiple AO (ASIF) cancellous bone screws. Acta Orthop Scand 1982; 53: 245-9.
  • 9 Holmbcrg S, Kalen R, Thorngren K-G. Treatment and outcome of femoral neck fractures. An analysis of 2418 patients admitted from their own homes. Clin Orthop 1987; 218: 42-52.
  • 10 Husby T, Alho A, Høiseth A, Fønstelien E. Strength of femoral neck fracture fixation. Comparison of six techniques in cadavers. Acta Orthop Scand 1987; 58: 634-7.
  • 11 Olerud C, Rchnberg L, Hellquist E. Internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. Two methods compared. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1991; 73-B: 16-9.
  • 12 Ort PJ, La Mont J. Treatment of femoral neck fractures with a sliding compression screw and two Knowles pins. Clin Orthop 1984; 190: 158-62.
  • 13 Stromqvist B, Hansson LI, Nilsson LT, Thorngren K-G. Hook-pin fixation in femoral neck fractures. A two year follow-up study of 300 cases. Clin Orthop 1987; 218: 58-62.
  • 14 Svenningsen S, Benum P, Nesse O, Furset OI. Internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. Compression screw compared with nail plate fixation. Acta Orthop Scand 1984; 55: 423-9.
  • 15 Roe SC, Pijanowski GJ, Johnson AL. Biomechanical properties of canine cortical bone allografts: Effects of preparation and storage. Am J Vet Res 1988; 49: 873-7.
  • 16 Cochran WG, Cox GM. Balanced and partially balanced block designs. In: Experimental Designs, 2nd edn. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1957: 439-69.
  • 17 Swiontokowski MF, Harrington RM, Keller TS, Van Patten PK. Torsion and bending analysis of internal fixation techniques for femoral neck fractures: the role of implant design and bone density. J Orthop Res 1987; 5: 433-44.
  • 18 Rubin R, Trent P, Arnold W, Burstein A. Knowles pinning of experimental femoral neck fractures: A biomechanical study. J Trauma 1981; 21: 1036-9.
  • 19 Egger EL, Histand MB, Blass CE, Powers BE. Effect of fixation pin insertion on the bone-pin interface. Vet Surg 1986; 15: 246-52.
  • 20 Arnoczky SP, Torzilli PA. Biomechanical analysis of forces acting about the canine hip. Am J Vet Res 1981; 42: 1581-5.
  • 21 Prieur WD. Coxarthrosis in the dog. Part 1: Normal and abnormal biomechanics of the hip joint. Vet Surg 1980; 9: 145-50.
  • 22 Springer ER, Lachiewicz PF, Gilbert JA. Internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. A comparative biomechanical study of Knowles pins and 6.5 mm cancellous screws. Clin Orthop 1991; 267: 85-92.
  • 23 Case J, Chilver AH. Tension and compression: direct stresses. In: Strength of Materials and Structures, 2nd edn. London: Edward Arnold; 1971: 1-37.
  • 24 SAS Institute.. The GLM Procedure. In: SAS User’s guide: Statistics, 5th edn. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.; 1985: 433-506.
  • 25 Schwarz PD. Biomechanics of fractures and fracture fixation. Semin Vet Med Surg (Small Anim) 1991; 6: 3-15.
  • 26 Neustadt JB, Tronzo R, Hozack WJ, Latta L. Femoral neck fractures: a biomechanical study of a new form of internal fixation using multiple telescoping variable length compression screws. Clin Orthop 1989; 248: 181-8.
  • 27 Van Audekercke R, Martens M, Mulicr JC, Stuyck J. Experimental study on internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. Clin Orthop 1979; 141: 203-12.
  • 28 Harmon PH, Baker DR, Reno JH. Experiments on the holding powers of various types of metallic internal fixation for transcervical fractures of the femur. Am J Surg 1948; 76: 515-23.
  • 29 Deyerle WM. Impacted fixation over resilient multiple pins. Clin Orthop 1980; 152: 102-22.
  • 30 Clark DI, Crofts CE, Saleh M. Femoral neck fracture fixation. Comparison of a sliding screw with a lag screw. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1990; 72-B: 797-800.
  • 31 Klcnerman L, Marcuson RW. Intracapsular fractures of the neck of the femur. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1977; 52-B: 514-7.