Comparison of forces generated using compression plating versus a magnetic lengthening nail in a sawbones femur model

The purpose of this study is to compare compression generated by a Precice magnetic lengthening intramedullary nail and a 5.0 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate.

Transverse osteotomy sites were created in the femoral shaft of ten Sawbones fourth generation composite femurs. Antegrade 10-degree trochanteric Precice nails and 8-hole, 5.0 mm plates were used for fixation. The plates were compressed by placing a neutral screw and three eccentrically drilled compression screws on alternating sides of the osteotomy. Average compression and distribution of compression were compared, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

The Precice nail generated an average of 2.38 megapascal across the osteotomy sites. The plate generated an average of 0.70 megapascal (P < 0.001) with the initial compression screw, 0.93 megapascal (P < 0.001) after the second screw, and 1.04 megapascal (p < 0.001) after the final screw. The distribution of compression was assessed utilizing a polar transformation to compare pressure values. We found that the distribution of compression was more circumferentially uniform in the Precice nail group (P = 0.046).

This study demonstrates that an electromagnetic intramedullary device is capable of generating significantly higher compression, in a more uniform distribution, than a 5.0 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate in a Sawbones model. The results indicate that electromagnetic intramedullary nail systems may be an ideal alternative to compression plating for treatment of at-risk fractures, nonunions, delayed unions, and intercalary allograft reconstruction.