Mechanical Properties of F Plate in Intraarticular Calcaneal Fractures

PURPOSE: We evaluated the mechanical properties of F plate fixation comparing with Y plate and a screw fixation for the intraarticular calcaneal fractures using synthetic bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 12 synthetic calcaneal bones, newly designed F plate was compared with the Y-plate, most commonly used, regarding the change of Bohler angle and the displacement of the thalamic fragments of the calcaneus after axial compressive loading by Instron 6022. RESULTS: Y plate fixation lost 8degrees of Bohler angle in average after axial compressive load and 2.6degrees in F plate fixation. Thalamic fragments were displaced 1.72 mm in average in Y plate fixation group and 0.73 mm in F plate fixation group. CONCLUSION: F plate offered more firm fixation than Y plate in the intraarticular calcaneal fracture in the aspect of maintaining the Bohler angle and preventing displacement of the thalamic fragments of calcaneus against axial compressive loading.