To evaluate the biomechanical performance of the Femoral Neck System (FNS) versus the Hansson Pin System (Hansson Pins) with two parallel pins in a Pauwels II femoral neck fracture model with posterior comminution. Forty-degree Pauwels II femoral neck fractures AO 31-B2.1 with 15° posterior wedge were simulated in fourteen paired fresh-frozen human femora, followed by instrumentation with either FNS or Hansson Pins in pair-matched fashion. Implant positioning was quantified by measuring shortest implant distances to inferior cortex (DI) and posterior cortex (DP) on anteroposterior and axial X-rays, respectively. Biomechanical testing was performed in 20° adduction and 10° flexion with simulated iliopsoas muscle tension. Progressively increasing cyclic loading was applied until construct failure. Interfragmentary femoral head-to-shaft movements were measured with optical motion tracking. Cycles to 10° varus deformation were significantly higher for FNS (23007 ± 5496) versus Hansson Pins (17289 ± 4686), P = 0.027. Cycles to 10° femoral head dorsal tilting (FNS: 12765 ± 3425; Hansson Pins: 13357 ± 6104) and cycles to 10° rotation around the femoral neck axis (FNS: 24453 ± 5073; Hansson Pins: 20185 ± 11065) were comparable between the implants, P ≥ 0.314. For Hansson Pins, the outcomes for varus deformation and dorsal tilting correlated significantly with DI and DP, respectively (P ≤ 0.047), whereas these correlations were not significant for FNS (P ≥ 0.310). From a biomechanical perspective, by providing superior resistance against varus deformation and performing in a less sensitive way to variations in implant placement, the angular stable Femoral Neck System can be considered as a valid alternative to the Hansson Pin System for the treatment of Pauwels II femoral neck fractures. therapeutic, Level V. The translational potential of this article is to compare the performance of the FNS with Hansson Pins in a AO 31-B2.1 fracture model featuring a 15 posterior wedge to show the implants behavior concerning the dorsal tilting tendency.
To compare mechanical stability of angle-stable locking construct with four screws with conventional five screw locking in intramedullary nailed distal tibia fractures under cyclic loading. Ten pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric tibiae were intramedullary nailed and assigned to either an angle-stable locking construct consisting of four screws or conventional five-screw locking. After simulating an unstable distal two-fragmental 42-A3.1 fracture, the specimens were mechanically tested under quasistatic and cyclic sinusoidal axial and torsional loading. Bending stiffness of the angle-stable and the conventional fixation was 644.3 N/° and 416.5 N/°, respectively (P = 0.075, power 0.434). Torsional stiffness of the angle-stable locking (1.91 Nm/°) was significantly higher compared with the conventional one (1.13 Nm/°; P = 0.001, power 0.981). Torsional play of the angle-stable fixation (0.08°) was significantly smaller compared with the conventional one (0.46°; P = 0.002, power 0.965). The angle-stable locking revealed significantly less torsional deformation in the fracture gap after one cycle (0.74°) than the conventional one (1.75°; P = 0.005, power 0.915) and also after 1000 cycles (angle-stable: 1.56°; conventional: 2.51°; P = 0.042, power 0.562). Modes of failure were fracture of the distal fragment, loosening of distal locking screws, nail breakage, and their combination, equally distributed between the groups (P = 0.325). Both the angle-stable locking technique using four screws and conventional locking consisting of five screws showed high biomechanical properties. Hence, angle-stable locking reflects a potential to maintain fixation stability while reducing the number of locking screws compared with conventional locking in intramedullary nailed unstable distal tibia fractures.