Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6205167 | Clinical Biomechanics | 2012 | 5 Pages |
BackgroundElastomer femoroplasty is a novel and experimental approach in the prevention of hip fracture surgery. Previously, we published the results of an in vitro cadaveric experiment in which we showed a significant reduction of fracture displacement in treated femurs. The aim of the present study was to establish the failure loads and interâfragmentary movement of fractured, elastomer femoroplasty treated femurs during cyclic loading.Methods16 cadaveric femurs were treated with elastomer femoroplasty and fractured in a simulated fall configuration. Each specimen underwent 10 cycles with a preload of 50Â N, starting with a peak load of 250Â N followed by 10 cycles of 500Â N and continued with 500Â N increments. The crosshead speed was 2Â mm/s. The failure load, the number of completed cycles, and crosshead extensions were recorded.FindingsThe mean failure load was 2709Â N (SD 1094). The number of completed cycles until failure was 60 (SD 22). The mean translation during maximum loading was 5.25Â mm (SD 0.9). At 1500Â N (two times the bodyweight of a 75Â kg individual) the extension was 3.16Â mm.InterpretationPreventive elastomer femoroplasty leads to the stabilization of the proximal femur after fracture. In a single leg stance configuration, cyclic loading with mean failure loads that well exceed the peak loads during normal gait is feasible.