The role of soft tissues in plate fixation of proximal phalanx fractures.

The tension band effect of plate fixation and the contribution of soft tissues to that effect was examined biomechanically in human proximal phalanges. Forty-six proximal phalanges in whole cadaver hands with all soft tissues in place (intact) and 43 proximal phalanges stripped of soft tissues (denuded) were tested. After midshaft osteotomy, each proximal phalanx was fixed internally with a dorsal minicondylar plate, a lateral minicondylar plate, a dorsal straight plate, or a lateral straight plate.

Role of soft tissues in metacarpal fracture fixation.

The contribution of soft tissues in stabilizing fracture fixation in metacarpals is appreciated clinically, but no quantitative biomechanical study of their role has been done. All previous studies of fracture fixation in vitro have been done on metacarpals denuded of soft tissues. To quantify the role of soft tissues in metacarpal fracture fixation, the biomechanical effectiveness of four fixation devices was examined in human cadaver metacarpals with and without soft tissues.