Biomechanical analysis of the percutaneous compression plate and sliding hip screw in intracapsular hip fractures: Experimental assessment using synthetic and cadaver bones

We compared the mechanical behaviour of osteosynthesis with the percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) compared with the standard osteosynthesis sliding hip screw (SHS) in intracapsular hip fractures. We created 10 stable and 10 unstable intracapsular hip fractures in 20 synthetic femurs. Each fracture was fixed with either the SHS or PCCP. In six pairs of cadaver femurs, we created unstable intracapsular hip fractures and fixed them with the SHS or PCCP, at random on the left or right side. ALL femoral heads were exposed to a cyclic, combined axial and torque load until failure. In each group, the PCCP resisted a significantly higher toad than the SHS. Clinical prospective studies are needed to confirm these in vitro findings that the PCCP is more stable than the SHS. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.