OTA 2002 Posters

Description: OTA 2002 Posters OTA 2002 Posters Poster #6 Basic Science Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures with Use of a Spiral Blade Intramedullary Nail System Augmented with Norian Cement Michael S. Wildstein, MD; Yuhei H. An, MD; Jeffrey M. Conrad, MD; David G. Everman, MD; Stan Kmiec; Jim M. Green; Kathleen A. Hogan, MD; Langdon A. Hartsock, MD; Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the strength of the newly developed spiral blade intramedullary nail system (SBIN) when augmented with the bioabsorbable bone cement, Norian. Methods: Six pairs of sawbones and six pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric humeral bones from cadavers with an average age of 69 years (range, 55 to 82) were obtained. Radiographs showed significant osteoporotic changes in the cadaveric bones. An osteotomy was made in each bone to reproduce a Neer two-part humeral fracture. Fractures were reduced and fixed with the SBIN construct either with (experimental) or without (control) Norian augmentation. Bones underwent torsional testing to ultimate failure with use of a hydraulic mechanical testing system. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the augmented and non-augmented sawbone groups (cemented, 1035 ± 338N; non-cemented, 454 ± 249N; P = 0.00056). In the cadaveric humeri, there was a trend toward increased ultimate load in the Norian augmented specimens (cemented, 527 ± 103 N; non-cemented, 342 ± 126 N; P = 0.07). Discussion: The SBIN system appears to be an effective method for fixation of Neer two-part fractures of the proximal humerus, particularly in osteoporotic bone. This fixation modality may therefore be particularly useful for patients with osteoporotic bone.