Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury
Published on: May 25, 2017
A comparative study of the effect of drilling depth on generation of compressive force by headless compression screws
Hyung-Sik Kim1, Ho-Jung Kang1, Yun-Rak Choi1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
This study was conducted to measure the effect of different drilling depths on compression forces generated by two commonly used headless compression screws using the two different types of drill bit, the Acutrak® mini (conical type drill bit) and the Synthes 3.0 HCS® (cylindrical type drill bit).
Methods:
A load cell was placed between two Sawbone blocks, which were 12 mm and 40 mm in thickness, respectively. After placing the guide pin into the center of the block, the drilling depth of the Acutrak® mini and Synthes HCS® screws ranged from 16 to 28 mm and 22 to 28 mm, respectively. The 24-mm screws were inserted and the compression force was measured immediately and at 30 min post-insertion.
Results:
The Acutrak® mini generated greater compression force compared to the Synthes 3.0 HCS® when drilled to a depth of less than 24 mm. The compression force of the Acutrak® mini showed a strong inverse correlation with the drilling depth. There was no significant inverse correlation observed between the compression force of the Synthes HCS® and the drilling depth.
Conclusions:
If the screw length and the drill depth are the same, the Synthes 3.0 HCS® (cylindrical type drill bit) is safer and easier to use as it has no change in the compression force even when over-drilling because the compression force of the two screws is similar. As for the Acutrak® mini (conical type drill bit), while it is technically demanding due to varying compression force according to the drill depth, it can be used in certain cases because it can give stronger compression force through under-drilling.
More Related Videos
15:11Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling
Published on: January 5, 2015
07:23A Microfluidic Platform for Stimulating Chondrocytes with Dynamic Compression
Published on: September 13, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Frictional Forces on Screws
A jack with a square-threaded screw is a mechanical device used to lift heavy loads by applying a force at its handle. When the force is applied, the screw turns, raising the load. The screw can...
Relation Between Tensile Strength and Compressive Strength of Concrete
Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...
Density, Specific Weight, Specific Gravity and Compressibility of Fluid
Specific weight represents the weight per unit volume and is calculated by multiplying...
Types of Forces