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A comparative biomechanical study of proximal femoral nail (InterTAN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation for intertrochanteric fractures

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of the cephalomedullary nail InterTAN in cases of intertrochanteric fractures with the commonly used PFNA.

Methods

Sixteen fresh specimens of the proximal femur were used as intertrochanteric fracture models and were fixed using two fixation devices: the new proximal femoral nail (InterTAN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). An intertrochanteric fracture was created in composite bone models. Each specimen was loaded to simulate single leg stance while stiffness, migration (cut out), compressive force across the fracture site, and distal fragment rotation were monitored. The different internal fixation methods were tested by an experimental press analysis.

Results

Results of tests for femoral strength, stiffness, stability, and bearing capacity demonstrated that the biomechanical function of InterTAN was better than that of PFNA (P < 0.05). Compared with the PFNA nail, InterTAN showed increased strength, stiffness, and resistance torque of 30 %, 15 %, and 27 %, respectively.

Conclusion

Comparison of the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with InterTAN and PFNA internal fixation showed that the InterTAN yielded improvement relative to the PFNA. InterTAN has a firmer and biomechanically superior performance and is therefore an ideal internal fixation method for treating intertrochanteric fractures. Additional research in osteopenic bone is necessary to comprehensively characterize the effects of the design enhancements of these two implants.

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Acknowledgment

This project was supported by “The Jinshan District Health Bureau Science Research Foundation (No. 2011-13)”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated To Tongji University, 301 YanChang Zhong Road, Shanghai, China, 200072

    Chunlin Zhang

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Central Hospital of Jinshan District Affiliated to Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated To Shanghai Jiaotong University, 147 Jiankang Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, China, 201500

    Yanfeng Huang & Yi Luo

Authors
  1. Yanfeng Huang
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  2. Chunlin Zhang
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  3. Yi Luo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chunlin Zhang.

Additional information

Yanfeng Huang, Chunlin Zhang, Yi Luo are all co-first authors.

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Huang, Y., Zhang, C. & Luo, Y. A comparative biomechanical study of proximal femoral nail (InterTAN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation for intertrochanteric fractures. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 2465–2473 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2120-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2120-1

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