What is it about?
This study looks at which type of implant has the best biomechanical properties for fusion of the finger joint closest to the fingernail.
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Why is it important?
Newer implants (headless compression screws) offer several advantages such as ease of use and lack of need for removal. However, these implants are costly. If there is no difference in the biomechanical properties between the classic, less costly implants and the newer more costly implants, consideration should be given to use of the less costly implants.
Perspectives
Any time a new implant comes on the market, we need to critically evaluate it compared to the previous reference standard. K-wires have been used with good success and few major complications for many years. Headless compression screws have some advantages, but are literally 500 times more expensive than k-wires. This study shows that k-wires and headless compression screws perform similar in load to failure and stiffness in a cadaver model of distal interphalangeal fusion.
Dr John R Fowler
University of Pittsburgh
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Biomechanical Analysis of Internal Fixation Methods for Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis, Hand, February 2016, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1558944715627211.
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