Nitinol, Stainless Steel, and Titanium Kirschner Wire Durability.

Kirschner wires (K wires) are a common fixation device in foot and ankle surgery, particularly in lesser-toe fixation. Fatigue failure is a known complication of this fixation. The material properties of the K wire are a factor in the strength and durability of the wire.

Bench Testing of a Bubble Noninvasive Ventilation Device in an Infant Lung Simulator.

Background: Infant respiratory distress remains a significant problem worldwide, leading to more than one million neonatal deaths each year. The cost, maintenance, energy, and personnel required to implement ventilators have proven to be a barrier in many resource-limited settings. To address these barriers, a nonelectric bubble noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) device was developed.

Feasibility of Transosseous Nonarticular Fixation of Lisfranc Injuries.

Background: The optimal techniques for Lisfranc open reduction and internal fixation techniques remain debated. The purpose of the current study was to describe the joints involved in Lisfranc fixation and to determine if nonarticular transosseous internal fixation would be possible.

Methods: Twenty cadaver Lisfranc joints were dissected and the articular cartilage was quantified by calibrated digital imaging software.

The Effect of Pitch Variation and Diameter Variation on Screw Pullout.

: There are many screw and thread designs commercially available to surgeons for bone fixation. There is a paucity of literature on comparative mechanical properties of various screw and thread designs including variable pitch screws, and tapered screws. This purpose of this study was to test whether varying a screws thread pitch and/or tapering a screws core diameter alters the mechanical performance of screws.

Ball and Socket Ankle: Mechanism and Computational Evidence of Concept.

The ball and socket ankle joint is a morphologically abnormal joint characterized by rounding of the articular surface of the talus. Other than anecdotal observation, little evidence has been presented to describe the development of this deformity. The purpose of the present study was to review ankle and subtalar joint mechanics and to kinematically examine the functional combination of these joints as a mechanism of the ball and socket ankle deformity.

Development and Testing of a Bubble Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure System.

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress results in > 1 million annual deaths worldwide. Bubble CPAP is a simple, effective, and widely used therapy for infants in respiratory distress. In low-resource settings, more advanced respiratory support is limited by cost, technical expertise, and sporadic electricity.

Effect of Real-Time Feedback on Screw Placement Into Synthetic Cancellous Bone.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether real-time torque feedback may reduce the occurrence of stripping when inserting nonlocking screws through fracture plates into synthetic cancellous bone.

Methods: Five attending orthopaedic surgeons and 5 senior level orthopaedic residents inserted 8 screws in each phase. In phase I, screws were inserted without feedback simulating conventional techniques.

Three-Dimensional Printing and Surgical Simulation for Preoperative Planning of Deformity Correction in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

A paucity of published data is available describing the methods for the integration of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology and surgical simulation into orthopedic surgery. The cost of this technology has decreased and the ease of use has increased, making routine use of 3D printed models and surgical simulation for difficult orthopedic problems a realistic option. We report the use of 3D printed models and surgical simulation for preoperative planning and patient education in the case of deformity correction in foot and ankle surgery using open source, free software.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Strength and Stiffness of Subtalar Joint Arthrodesis Screw Constructs.

Background: Subtalar arthrodesis is a common treatment for end-stage subtalar joint arthritis as well as many other clinical problems. The best method of subtalar arthrodesis fixation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the strength of subtalar arthrodesis fixation methods including a single posterior screw (SP), 2 posterior minimally divergent screws (MD) and a 2 screw highly divergent screw (HD) construct for subtalar arthrodesis.

The effect of load obliquity on the strength of locking and nonlocking constructs in synthetic osteoporotic bone.

The biomechanical performance of internal fracture fixation depends on several factors. One measure of performance is the strength of the construct. The objective of this biomechanical study was to identify the effect of load obliquity on the strength of locking and nonlocking plate and screw constructs.

The subtalar joint: biomechanics and functional representations in the literature.

The subtalar joint is important for gait and function of the foot and ankle. With few external landmarks, the joint is difficult to conceptualize and study in vivo. There have been several functional representations put forth in the literature which can be combined to give a broader understanding of the overall function and mechanics of the subtalar joint.

Surgeon perception of cancellous screw fixation.

Objectives: The ability of surgeons to optimize screw insertion torque in nonlocking fixation constructs is important for stability, particularly in osteoporotic and cancellous bone. This study evaluated screw torque applied by surgeons during synthetic cancellous fixation. It evaluated the frequency with which screws were stripped by surgeons, factors associated with screw stripping, and ability of surgeons to recognize it.

Subtalar arthrodesis alignment: the effect on ankle biomechanics.

Background: The position, axis, and control of each lower extremity joint intimately affect adjacent joint function as well as whole-limb performance. A review of the literature finds little describing the biomechanics of subtalar arthrodesis and the effect on ankle biomechanics. The purpose of the current study was to establish this effect on sagittal plane ankle biomechanics.

The effect of clavicle malunion on shoulder biomechanics; a computational study.

Background: Clavicle malunion affects the biomechanics of the shoulder joint. The purpose of this study is to establish the abduction, flexion, and internal (medial) rotation biomechanics of the shoulder after clavicle malunion.

Methods: A computational study was performed utilizing a three-dimensional, validated computational model of the upper extremity.

Galileo's contribution to modern orthopaedics.

Introduction: Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), world-renowned Italian mathematician, astronomer, physicist and philosopher, made many contributions to science. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that Galileo's discovery of scaling principles permitted others to define and advance orthopaedic research and clinical sciences.

Methods: The science and scaling principles of Galileo Galilei were extensively analyzed by reviewing his 1638 original work Discorsi e Demostrazioni Matematiche Intorno a Due Nuove Scienze.