Biomechanics of subtrochanteric fracture fixation using short cephalomedullary nails: A finite element analysis

Abstract

A finite element analysis was performed to evaluate the stresses around nails and cortical bones in subtrochanteric (ST) fracture models fixed using short cephalomedullary nails (CMNs). A total 96 finite element models (FEMs) were simulated on a transverse ST fracture at eight levels with three different fracture gaps and two different distal locking screw configurations in both normal and osteoporotic bone. All FEMs were fixed using CMNs 200 mm in length. Two distal locking screws showed a wider safe range than 1 distal screw in both normal and osteoporotic bone at fracture gaps ≤ 3 mm. In normal bone FEMs fixed even with two distal locking screws, peak von Mises stresses (PVMSs) in cortical bone and nail constructs reached or exceeded 90% of the yield strength at fracture levels 50 mm and 0 and 50 mm, respectively, at all fracture gaps. In osteoporotic bone FEMs, PVMSs in cortical bone and nail constructs reached or exceeded 90% of the yield strength at fracture levels 50 mm and 0 and 50 mm, respectively, at a 1-mm fracture gap. However, at fracture gaps ≥ 2 mm, PVMSs in cortical bone reached or exceeded 90% of the yield strength at fracture levels ≥ 35 mm. PVMSs in nail showed the same results as 1-mm fracture gaps. PVMSs increased and safe range reduced, as the fracture gap increased. Short CMNs (200 mm in length) with two distal screws may be considered suitable for the fixation of ST transverse fractures at fracture levels 10 to 40 mm below the lesser trochanter in normal bone and 10 to 30 mm in osteoporotic bone, respectively, under the assumptions of anatomical reduction at fracture gap ≤ 3 mm. However, the fracture gap should be shortened to the minimum to reduce the risk of refracture and fixation failure, especially in osteoporotic fractures.