Lee Parker1, Pinak Ray2, Stephan Grechenig3, Wolfgang Grechenig4. 1. SpR Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA74LP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: lee.parker06@gmail.com. 2. Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom. 3. University Hospital Regensburg, Department of Traumatology, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee, Regensburg, Germany. 4. AUVA Trauma Hospital, Graz, Gostingerstrasse 24, 8020 Graz, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The new IOFIX is an intra-osseous fixation device comprising an "X-post" through which a lag screw passes to apparently improve force distribution across an arthrodesis. We conducted a novel human cadaveric study. Our null hypothesis was no difference in force exists in an ankle arthrodesis model stabilized with the IOFIX or a conventional single lag screw. METHOD: In ten cadaver ankles a pressure transducer was compressed as an IOFIX and standard single lag screws were alternately compared. RESULTS: The median average force created by the IOFIX was 3.95kg and 2.4kg for the single conventional lag screw (p⩽0.01). The IOFIX improved contact area across the arthrodesis with a median average of 3.41cm(2) compared with 2.42cm(2) in the lag screw group (p⩽0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest an IOFIX improves force distribution across an ankle arthrodesis compared with a single conventional lag screw.
BACKGROUND: The new IOFIX is an intra-osseous fixation device comprising an "X-post" through which a lag screw passes to apparently improve force distribution across an arthrodesis. We conducted a novel human cadaveric study. Our null hypothesis was no difference in force exists in an ankle arthrodesis model stabilized with the IOFIX or a conventional single lag screw. METHOD: In ten cadaver ankles a pressure transducer was compressed as an IOFIX and standard single lag screws were alternately compared. RESULTS: The median average force created by the IOFIX was 3.95kg and 2.4kg for the single conventional lag screw (p⩽0.01). The IOFIX improved contact area across the arthrodesis with a median average of 3.41cm(2) compared with 2.42cm(2) in the lag screw group (p⩽0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest an IOFIX improves force distribution across an ankle arthrodesis compared with a single conventional lag screw.