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Bone mineral density in fractures treated with absorbable or metallic implants
T Juutilainen1, E Hirvensalo, A Majola
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Annales Chirurgiae Et Gynaecologiae
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Absorbable polyglycolic acid screws significantly increased bone mineral density after ankle fracture fixation, unlike polylactic acid or metallic screws. This suggests polyglycolic acid implants may promote bone healing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Radiology
Background:
- Absorbable fixation devices are used for fracture treatment.
- Previous studies have not compared bone mineral density (BMD) after fixation with absorbable versus metallic devices.
- Ankle fractures are common injuries requiring surgical fixation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare bone mineral density (BMD) changes after ankle fracture fixation using absorbable self-reinforced polyglycolic acid (SR-PGA) screws, absorbable self-reinforced polylactic acid (SR-PLLA) screws, and metallic fixation.
- To evaluate the effect of different fixation materials on bone consolidation and BMD.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving patients treated for ankle fractures.
- Groups included fixation with SR-PGA screws (14 patients), SR-PLLA screws (8 patients), and metallic fixation (17 patients).
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the distal tibia after fracture consolidation.
Main Results:
- Radiological outcomes were good across all groups.
- A statistically significant increase in distal tibial BMD (18.3%) was observed after SR-PGA screw fixation compared to metallic fixation.
- BMD decreased by 6.4% after SR-PLLA fixation and by 18.6% after metallic fixation.
Conclusions:
- SR-PGA screws may possess osteogenetic capacity, promoting bone healing after fracture fixation.
- Metallic implants demonstrated a negative effect on bone mineral density.
- Absorbable fixation devices, particularly SR-PGA, show potential advantages over metallic implants in fracture management.