A Biomechanical Comparison Study of Plate–Nail and Dual-Plate Fixation in AO/OTA 41-C2 Tibial Plateau Fractures

Abstract

Background Context: This study’s purpose was to evaluate the biomechanical performance of plate–nail and dual-plate fixation for the treatment of AO/OTA 41-C2 tibial plateau fractures. Methods: Twenty synthetic tibias were selected and randomly divided into a plate–nail group (n = 10) and a dual-plate group (n = 10). After the artificial tibias were osteotomized to simulate AO/OTA 41-C2 tibial plateau fractures in both groups, the plate–nail and the dual-plate methods, respectively, were used for fixation, and then axial compression loading, three-point bending, torsion, and axial failure tests were carried out. The data of each group were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: In the axial compression test, the average stiffness of the plate–nail group was higher than that of the dual-plate group (p < 0.05). The displacement generated in the plate–nail group was significantly smaller than that in the dual-plate group (p < 0.05). In the resisting varus test, the stress of the plate–nail group was significantly higher than that of the dual-plate group (p < 0.05). In the resisting valgus test, the stress of the plate–nail group was slightly higher than that of the dual-plate group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the static torsion test, the load applied to the plate–nail group was smaller than that of the dual-plate group when rotated to 5° (p < 0.05). In the axial compression failure test, the average ultimate load of the plate–nail group was significantly higher than that of the dual-plate group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of AO/OTA 41-C2 tibial plateau fractures with plate–nail fixation is superior to that with dual-plate fixation in resisting axial stress and preventing tibial varus deformity, while dual-plate fixation has better resisting torsional ability.