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The dynamic locking screw (DLS) can increase interfragmentary motion on the near cortex of locked plating constructs by reducing the axial stiffness

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Abstract

Background

The plate–screw interface of an angular stable plate osteosynthesis is very rigid. So far, all attempts to decrease the stiffness of locked plating construct, e.g. the bridged plate technique, decrease primarily the bending stiffness. Thus, the interfragmentary motion increases only on the far cortical side by bending the plate. To solve this problem, the dynamic locking screw (DLS) was developed.

Materials and methods

Comparison tests were performed with locking screws (LS) and DLS. Axial stiffness, bending stiffness and interfragmentary motion were compared. For measurements, we used a simplified transverse fracture model, consisting of POM C and an 11-hole LCP3.5 with a fracture gap of 3 mm. Three-dimensional fracture motion was detected using an optical measurement device (PONTOS 5 M/GOM) consisting of two CCD cameras (2,448 × 2,048 pixel) observing passive markers.

Results

The DLS reduced the axial stiffness by approximately 16% while increasing the interfragmentary motion at the near cortical side significantly from 282 µm (LS) to 423 µm (DLS) applying an axial load of 150 N.

Conclusion

The use of DLS reduces the stiffness of the plate–screw interface and thus increases the interfragmentary motion at the near cortical side without altering the advantages of angular stability and the strength.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, München, Germany

    Stefan Döbele, Arne Buchholtz, Andreas Lenich, Andreas K. Nüssler, Martin Lucke & Ulrich Stöckle

  2. Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Abteilung für Orthopädie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany

    Carsten Horn, Stefan Eichhorn & Rainer Burgkart

  3. Synthes GmbH, Oberdorf, Switzerland

    Daniel Andermatt & Rudolf Koch

Authors
  1. Stefan Döbele
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  2. Carsten Horn
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  3. Stefan Eichhorn
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  4. Arne Buchholtz
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  5. Andreas Lenich
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  7. Andreas K. Nüssler
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  8. Martin Lucke
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  9. Daniel Andermatt
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  10. Rudolf Koch
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  11. Ulrich Stöckle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Döbele.

Additional information

Best of Abstracts–Chirurgisches Forum 2010, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

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Döbele, S., Horn, C., Eichhorn, S. et al. The dynamic locking screw (DLS) can increase interfragmentary motion on the near cortex of locked plating constructs by reducing the axial stiffness. Langenbecks Arch Surg 395, 421–428 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-010-0636-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-010-0636-z

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