Abstract
Hexapod-ring-fixators have a characteristic rattling sound during load changes due to play in the hexapod struts. This play is perceived as unpleasant by patients and can lead to frame instability. Using slotted-ball-instead of universal-joints for the ring-strut connection could potentially resolve this problem. The purpose of the study was to clarify if the use of slotted-ball-joints reduces play and also fracture gap movement. A hexapod-fixator with slotted-ball-joints and aluminum struts (Ball-Al) was compared to universal-joint-fixators with either aluminum (Uni Al) or steel struts (Uni Steel). Six fixator frames each were loaded in tension, compression, torsion, bending and shear and mechanical performance was analyzed in terms of movement, stiffness and play. The slotted-ball-joint fixator was the only system without measurable axial play (<0.01 mm) compared to Uni-Al (1.2 ± 0.1) mm and Uni-Steel (0.6 ± 0.2) mm (p≤0.001). In both shear directions the Uni-Al had the largest play (p≤0.014). The resulting axial fracture gap movements were similar for the two aluminum frames and up to 25% smaller for the steel frame, mainly due to the highest stiffness found for the Uni-Steel in all loading scenarios (p≤0.036). However, the Uni-Steel construct was also up to 29% (450 g) heavier and had fewer usable mounting holes. In conclusion, the slotted-ball-joints of the Ball-Al fixator reduced play and minimized shear movement in the fracture while maintaining low weight of the construct. The heavier and stiffer Uni-Steel fixator compensates for existing play with a higher overall stiffness.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank Stephanie Filippi for her valuable work on the preliminary aspects of this study.
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Research funding: The institution of the authors has received financial support from Orthofix.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: The institution of the authors has received financial support from Orthofix.
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
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Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.
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