Cross-elements to enhance fixation in osteoporotic bone with application to proximal humeral locking plates: a biomechanical study.

Background: Proximal humeral fractures occur predominantly in elderly, osteoporotic individuals, especially women, with surgery performed in one-fifth. Proximal humeral locking plates are the gold standard operative treatment; however, complications are frequent, partially because of poor screw purchase in osteoporotic bone. A new method uses threaded posts through which threaded cross-elements orthogonally pass to create a 3-dimensional scaffold for bone engagement. We examined the pullout characteristics of the posts with (1 or 2) or without the cross-elements and tested 2 types of 3.5-mm cortical locking screws for comparison.

Methods: Low-density closed-cell polyurethane foam served as a model osteoporotic bone substrate. Following implantation in the substrate, the devices were axially loaded by a mechanical test system. Quantities of interest included failure mode, peak load, displacement to peak load, initial stiffness, and work expended.

Results: The post groups outperformed the 3.5-mm screw groups, as expected. Relative to posts with no cross-elements, 1 and 2 cross-elements increased the peak load by 29% and 87% and increased the work to peak load by 126% and 343%, respectively. After reaching peak load, 1 and 2 cross-elements increased the work-resistance to further displacement by 158% and 330%, respectively.

Conclusion: Cross-elements significantly increased the ability of the threaded posts to resist axial displacement from a model osteoporotic bone substrate. This suggests that posts, used in conjunction with cross-elements, have the potential to enhance the stability of proximal humeral locking plates in osteoporotic bone.