Effect of shoulder abduction on the fixation of humeral greater tuberosity fractures: A biomechanical study for three types of fixation constructs

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Abstract

Background: An abduction brace and abduction exercises are commonly employed after humeral greater tuberosity fracture repair. However, the effects of glenohumeral abduction on the biomechanical strength have seldom been elucidated. Method: We studied 24 pairs of female fresh frozen porcine shoulders randomly divided into 3 groups. After creation of a greater tuberosity fracture on each shoulder, 3 fixation techniques were used for the 3 groups: double-row suture anchor fixation (DR), suture bridge technique (SB), and 2-screw fixation (TS). This biomechanical study was conducted to compare the forces that create 3- and 5-mm displacements and the ultimate failure load at the simulated shoulder abduction angles of 0° and 45° among the 3 groups. Results: In the DR group, the mean forces to create 3- and 5-mm displacements and the failure load at 0° were higher than those at 45° (P=.036, P=.012, P=.027). By contrast, in the SB group, the mean forces to create 3- and 5-mm displacements at 45° were greater than those at 0° (P=.012, P=.012). There were no significant differences in the forces to create 3- and 5-mm displacements and construct failure between 0° and 45° in the TS group (P = .575, .327, .478). Conclusion: The DR group had greatest initial fixation strength at a low abduction angle, whereas the SB group had the highest initial fixation strength at a high abduction angle. The TS group appeared unaffected by the abduction angle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)547-554
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Apr 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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