Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2026
Establishment of a Segmental Femoral Critical-size Defect Model in Mice Stabilized by Plate Osteosynthesis
Published on: October 12, 2016
Biomechanical evaluation of polylactide absorbable screws used for syndesmosis injury repair
D B Thordarson1, T P Hedman, D Gross
1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Abstract:
Simulated syndesmosis injuries were created in 12 fresh-frozen, below-knee cadaver specimens. Six specimens were repaired with a 4.5 mm stainless steel screw, and six were repaired with a 4.5 mm polylactide screw. Three specimens of each group were tested in load to failure by axially loading with 1400 N and externally rotating to 90 degrees. Three specimens in each group underwent fatigue testing by axially loading with 700 N and applying 2.5 N-m of torque for 57,700 cycles. Radiographs and computed tomography scans were evaluated. None of the screws broke or failed. Similar load to failure was noted in polylactide and control groups. Fatigue testing revealed no significant change in stiffness. No significant screw damage was evident on radiographic or computed tomography evaluation. The data suggest that a polylactide screw has sufficient fatigue and failure strength to allow for healing of this injury in a clinical situation.
