Mechanical effects of intramedullary reaming in pinned osteotomies in rats

The biomechanical effects of intramedullary reaming on the healing of femoral osteotomies were studied. In rats, transverse osteotomies at the midshaft of both femurs were made. On the left side only, reaming of the medullary cavity was performed, and the osteotomies were then stabilized by intramedullary pinning. At 15, 30, 60, and 90 days after osteotomy, the production of callus, the bending moment, and the bending rigidity were evaluated. There were no significant differences in these biomechanical parameters between the right unreamed and the left reamed femurs during the experimental period. The results indicate that reaming of the medullary cavity of diaphyseal bone does not significantly impair or improve the healing of pinned osteotomies in rats.