Bending and rotational stability of femoral neck osteotomies. An experimental study

The bending and rotational stability of experimental cadaveric femoral neck osteotomies fixed by Thornton's triflanged nail. McLaughlin's nail and plate and the Ullevål hip compression screw are reported. The bending stability of the three implants tested is statistically equal whereas the rotational stability of the Thornton nail is lower. However, the rotational stability of all three implants tested is sufficient under normal clinical circumstances. The bending stability achieved by the three implants is insufficient for the forces acting upon the femoral head in vivo and is the most obvious reason for the high rate of nonunion in femoral neck fractures.