Skip to main content
Download PDF

Femoral periprosthetic fracture treatment using the Ortho-Bridge System: a biomechanical study

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research volume 17, Article number: 301 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

We undertook a comparative biomechanical study of type B1 fractures around femoral prostheses following cemented hip arthroplasty using the Ortho-Bridge System (OBS) and a locking compression plate/locking attachment plate structure (LCP + LAP). We aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics and advantages of the OBS compared with LCP + LAP when treating this fracture type.

Methods

An OBS fixation model was designed based on OBS and LCP + LAP fixation characteristics. The LCP + LAP combination (Group A) and three different OBS combinations (Groups B, C, and D) were used to fix a B1 fracture model with a femoral periprosthetic fracture. Axial compression and torsion experiments were then performed using simple and comminuted fracture models. The axial compression failure experiment was carried out, and the model stiffness during axial compression, torsion angle in torsion test, and vertical load in the final failure test were collected.

Results

When simulating simple oblique fractures, no significant difference was found among the four groups in terms of stiffness in the axial compression experiment (P = 0.257). The torsion angle of the LCP + LAP system was significantly higher compared with the OBS system (P < 0.05). When simulating a comminuted fracture, the experimental data for axial compression showed that the rigidity measurements of the three combinations of the OBS system were higher compared with the LCP + LAP system (P = 0.000) and that the torsion angles of three combinations of the OBS system were smaller compared with the LCP + LAP system (P < 0.05). In the axial compression failure test, the fixed failure mode of the LCP + LAP system was the destruction of the contact cortex at the fracture site, whereas the failure modes in the three OBS combinations involved fracture around the screws above the osteotomy and destruction of the contact cortex at the fracture site.

Conclusions

The findings revealed that the OBS produced superior biomechanical outcomes compared with LCP + LAP, especially for the bridging two-rod dual cortex. According to the performance observed after model axial compression destruction, the OBS was fixed and provided greater stress dispersion, which might make it more suitable for facilitating early functional movement and avoiding the failure of internal fixation.

Background

In 1954, Holovitz and LeNobel first described periprosthetic fractures (PPFx) as those that are above, below, or around implant prostheses [1]. The number of hip replacement surgeries reported by the National Joint Registry has increased annually, and 91,833 such operations were conducted in 2015 [2]. The rise in PPFx is directly related to the increasing frequency of primary joint replacement operations every year [3]. With an increase in the number of hip replacements, the number of PPFx during and after surgery is expected to increase [4,5,6,7]. According to related reports, the incidence of PPFx is 11% after the first total hip replacement and 7% after a semi-joint replacement [8, 9].

The Vancouver classification proposed by Duncan [10] is the most commonly used classification for femoral PPFx and includes the anatomical site of the fracture, prosthesis stability, and bone stock quality, which is helpful information when determining a final fracture treatment plan [11]. When femoral prostheses are well fixed (type A, type B1, and type C), PPFx can be treated either non-surgically or through an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, whereas types B2 and B3 require prosthesis revision [4, 12, 13]. The most common treatment for type B1 PPFx using the Vancouver classification has been reported to be an ORIF procedure using locking plates, steel cables, or allogeneic cortical supports [13].

Although the main treatment for Vancouver B1 fractures is open reduction and internal fixation, no consensus has been reached concerning the optimal method of reduction and fixation [6, 14,15,16]. The Ortho-Bridge System (OBS) is a new internal fixation system [17, 18] developed by Tianjin Weiman Biomaterials Co., Ltd. It is made of a titanium alloy and consists of connecting rods, locking screws, locking nuts, fixing blocks, and common screws (Fig. 1). As the basic units of the OBS, nails, rods, and blocks can be individually combined, configured, and fixed using either single, double, or multiple rods. Moreover, the OBS can be locked and unlocked. The individualised combination of nails and rods makes it possible to have diverse fixed positions. At the same time, it allows three-dimensional (3D) fixation with multi-bar and steering nails, improves the pull-out strength, and creates a larger personalised application space for the treatment of particularly complex fractures. Biomechanical and clinical analysis studies have shown that internal fixation using the OBS was effective in treating long bone fractures [17, 19]. Moreover, the OBS has been applied in the fixation of the upper and lower limbs and pelvic fractures. Some orthopaedic surgeons in China have attempted to use the OBS to treat femoral PPFx. Although good results have been achieved, knowledge of this application of the OBS is greatly limited due to a scarcity of published data. Therefore, in this study, we refer to various previously designed PPFx internal fixation concepts, including titanium cable, steel-wire cerclage and locking plate, among others [20]. The fixed-angle internal fixation or construct has been shown to be consistently stronger against pull-out forces and deformation [21] because it uses a bicortical screw channel in the proximal femur for fixed-angle fixation. Based on the advantages of the OBS, we designed a PPFx model of the OBS and conducted biomechanical analysis and comparison experiments with the model, which was made using the LCP + LAP fixation system that is in common use worldwide (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Basic unit components of the OBS. (01) Locking screws, (02) connecting rod, (03) locking nut, (04) ordinary screws, (05) distal shaped piece of the femur, (06) double-rod double-hole fixing block, (07) double-rod single-hole fixing block, (08) single-rod double-hole fixing block, (09) single-rod and single-hole fixing block, and (10) end block fixing block

Full size image
Fig. 2
figure 2

Steel plate and bridge fixing model structure. Group A, LCP + LAP fixing group; Group B, bridging double-rod double-cortex fixation group; Group C, bridging double-rod single-cortex fixation group; Group D, bridging single-rod cross-fixation group

Full size image

This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics and advantages of the OBS compared with the LCP + LAP system in a Vancouver B1 femoral periprosthetic fracture model and to find the theoretical basis for using the OBS to treat periprosthetic fracture so as to assist clinical research.

Methods

Experimental materials

The following materials were used in this study: 24 artificial standard femora (third-generation compound femora, medium 3304; Sawbones [22, 23], a department of the Pacific Research Laboratory in Vashon, Washington); a 12-hole Synthes plate and a corresponding attached plate (DePuy Synthes, Solothurn, Switzerland); and the ortho-bridge system, comprised a 6-mm-diameter connecting rod, a fixing block, and a fixing screw (Tianjin Weiman Biomaterials Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China).

Experimental grouping

This experiment comprised the four following groups: (1) Group A: fixed LCP + LAP; (2) Group B: bridging double-rod and double-cortex fixation; (3) Group C: bridging double-rod and single-cortex fixation; and (4) Group D: bridging single-rod cross-fixation. Six experimental models were constructed for each group (Fig. 2). The number of experimental models was determined in accordance with similar experiments undertaken internationally [24] and also met requirements for statistical analysis.

Model construction

This experiment was completed in the Newton Laboratory of Tianjin Weiman Biomaterials Co., Ltd. Standard femoral neck osteotomy was performed on 24 Sawbones third-generation compound femora using a swing saw positioned 10 mm from the proximal end of the trochanter. The opening was chiseled, then the medullary cavity was widened with a medullary cavity file, and an appropriate medullary cavity expander was selected to enlarge the medullary cavity. A cement restrictor was placed at the distal end of the medullary cavity, which was manually filled with an appropriate amount of bone cement, and the prepared femoral stem prosthesis was positioned. The femoral stem prosthesis model was prepared for internal fixation using the 12-hole Synthes plate and the corresponding attached plate and OBS system. The length of the OBS connecting rod was consistent with a standard 12-hole locking plate, which was placed at the planned position under the femoral trochanter. In the bridging double-cortex fixation group, the bicortical screw channel at the upper end of the fracture was located under fluoroscopic observation (Fig. 2). The specific fixing requirements of each group were as follows:

  1. (1)

    Group A: LCP + LAP fixation group

A 12-hole Synthes locking compression plate and an attachment plate were used. Proximal fixation was achieved with two double-cortex locking screws and two single-cortex locking screws. Distal fixation was achieved with three double-cortex locking screws. The screws were 5 mm in diameter.

  1. (2)

    Group B: bridging double-rod and double-cortex fixation

Two connecting rods (length, 22 cm; diameter, 6 mm) were used. Proximal fixation was achieved with three single-rod single-hole fixation blocks, a double-rod single-hole fixation block, three double-cortex locking screws, and a single-cortex locking screw. Distal fixation was achieved with three double-rod single-hole fixation blocks and three double-cortex locking screws.

  1. (3)

    Group C: bridging double-rod single cortex fixation

Two connecting rods (length, 22 cm; diameter, 6 mm) were used. Proximal fixation was achieved with three single-rod single-hole fixation blocks, a double-rod single-hole fixation block, and four single-cortex locking screws. Distal fixation was achieved with three double-rod single-hole fixation blocks and three double-cortex locking screws.

  1. (4)

    Group D: bridging single-rod cross-fixation

One connecting rod (length, 22 cm; diameter, 6 mm) and one connecting rod with a shorter length were used. Proximal fixation was achieved with four single-rod single-hole fixed blocks and four single-cortex locking screws. Distal fixation was achieved with four double-cortex locking screws. Long connecting rod screws and short connecting rod screws were interlaced at 90° angles (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

A computer-aided drawing of concrete internal fixation for Groups A–D of the experimental models

Full size image

Biomechanical test

Dental tray powder (polymethyl methacrylate) was poured on the distal femur, and an appropriate iron cup was used to fix the distal femur in the experiment. Outside the bone cement and 2.5 cm away from the distal end of the femoral stem prosthesis, an industrial wire saw was then used to cut a 45° oblique fracture line from the upper lateral side to the lower medial side (simulated anatomical reduction and Vancouver B1 simple fracture fixation), so that the supporting effect of internal fixation could be prevented during the axial compression test [24]. All samples were subjected to axial compression and torsion tests, and the stiffness and torsion angles of the different system groups were obtained when treating simple fractures. An industrial milling machine was then used to form a 5 mm bone gap at the sawing bone site to simulate the comminuted fracture model. Two axial compression stiffness groups and the torsion angle data were obtained when testing and treating complex fractures again. Finally, all samples were subjected to axial compression failure, and failure compression force values were obtained. In this experiment, simulated simple fracture refers to the initial osteotomy performed with anatomical reduction, while simulated comminuted fracture refers to the 5 mm gap introduced. In the experiment of axial compression failure, we continuously increased the axial load and observed that the irreversible failure of internal fixation or femur indicated that the experiment was completed [24, 25].

Experimental tests

Axial compression test

The experiment was performed using a microcomputer-controlled electronic universal testing machine (Equipment model E45.105, Fig. 4). The experiment was performed under an initial vertical load < 100 N, a maximum vertical load of 1000 N, and a displacement loading rate of 8 mm/min, and the load–displacement curve was obtained. The slope of the curve was obtained using computer software (TW-Elite) connected to the testing machine.

Fig. 4
figure 4

The construction model of OBS on the testing machine. A A structural model of the OBS was tested using a microcomputer-controlled electronic universal testing machine, with a cast iron cup at the distal femur matched and fixed to the testing machine, and with the femoral head prosthesis at the proximal femur in contact with the white polyethylene cylinder of the testing machine. B The structural model of the OBS was tested on the torsion testing machine. C The proximal femoral head was fixed with clamps at both ends of the testing machine. D The cast iron cup at the distal femur was matched and fixed to the testing machine

Full size image

Torsion test

This experiment was performed using a torsion testing machine (Equipment model ND-200; Fig. 6). The experimental conditions comprised a maximum of 10 N.m and a loading rate of 90°/min. P-main computer software was connected to the testing machine, which was used to obtain the torque-rotation curve, and a lower load was selected to avoid permanent damage to the samples during testing.

Axial compression failure test

The axial compression failure test was the final failure test, and it was conducted using a microcomputer-controlled electronic universal testing machine (equipment model: E45.105). The initial vertical load was applied to the femoral head within 100 N, and the displacement loading rate was 8 mm/min until the implant or femur was irreversibly damaged, and the failure mode and verticality upon failure were recorded.

Experimental evaluation

The stiffness value indicates the capacity of an implant to resist deformation in the elastic stage, and it is used as a standard evaluation of axial compression. Under the same axial pressure, the greater the stiffness value, the smaller the deformation of the plant and the firmer it is. The torsion experiment was used to compare the difference in torsion angle between different implanted structures under the same torque load, that is, torsion stiffness. Under the same torsion force, the torsion angle of the internal fixation decreases, which means that the internal fixation is stronger. The aim of the axial compression failure test was to detect the maximum load that the structure of the implant could bear. The greater the maximum load, the stronger the resistance of the implant to destructive force and the better the overall strength.

Statistical analysis

To analyse the differences among all of the structures, after ensuring the normal distribution of the test data, they were analysed using one-way ANOVA, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05. When the variance between the control groups maintained homogeneity, the Bonferroni method was used for multiple comparisons in pairs, while the Tamhane method was used for multiple comparisons when the variance between the control groups did not maintain homogeneity. When analysing the correlation between the simulated simple fracture group and the simulated comminuted fracture group, a t-test was performed, and the Bonferroni significance level was adjusted to P < 0.0125. The adjustment value was calculated by dividing the P value of the 95% confidence interval (CI) by the number of constructions compared, that is, Bonferroni = P value of the 95% CI/number of constructions = 0.05/4 = 0.0125.

Results

Axial stiffness

In the simulation of the simple fracture, the axial stiffness of all structures ranged from 655.9 to 1113.5 N/mm. In the simulation of the comminuted fracture, the axial stiffness ranged from 75.5 to 176.8 N/mm (Fig. 5). In the simulation of the simple fracture, there was no statistically significant difference in the axial stiffness data for each structure (P = 0.257). The axial stiffness of the three OBS groups was higher than that of the LCP + LAP group (P = 0.000). The axial stiffness of the bridging single-rod cross fixation group was higher than that of the bridging double-rod and double-cortex fixation groups (P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in the axial stiffness data of the other groups (P > 0.05). When comparing the simulated simple fracture group and the simulated comminuted fracture group, the axial stiffness of each structure in the simple fracture group was higher than the comminuted fracture group (P < 0.0125).

Fig. 5
figure 5

Stiffness results in the axial compression experiment. The error line indicates the standard error of the average value

Full size image

Torsion angle

In the simulation of the simple fracture, the torsion angles of all structures ranged from 4.53° to 7.88°, and in the simulation of the comminuted fracture, the torsion angles of all structures ranged from 4.8° to 9.18° (Fig. 6). Data analysis during the simulation of simple fractures showed that the torsion angle of the LCP + LAP system was significantly higher than that of the three OBS combinations (P < 0.05). Bridge data differences between the three combination types were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In the comminuted fracture simulation data, the LCP + LAP system torsion angle above the bridge double-rod double-cortex (P = 0.024) and the bridge double-rod torsion angle of the single-cortex combination were higher than that of the bridging double-rod double-cortex combination (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference within the data set, and no statistical significance was found when comparing the simulated simple fracture group and the simulated comminuted fracture group (P > 0.0125).

Fig. 6
figure 6

Torsion angle experiment results. The error line indicates the standard error of the average value

Full size image

Axial failure test load

In the final failure test, the axial failure load of the sample ranged from 3756.29  N to 5124.34  N (Fig. 7). The failure pressure of the LCP + LAP system was lower than that of the bridged double-rod double-cortex and bridged double-rod single-cortex combinations (P < 0.05). The failure pressure of the bridged double-rod double-cortex combination was higher than that of the bridged double-rod single-cortex and single-rod crossover fixation combination (P < 0.05), whereas the failure pressure of the bridged double-rod single-cortex combination was higher than that of the bridged single-rod crossover fixation combination (P < 0.05).

Fig. 7
figure 7

Test pressure values in the axial compression failure experiment. The error line indicates the standard error of the average value

Full size image

In the axial compression failure test, with an increase in the vertical load, the fracture gap decreased as a result of contact between the plate and bridge, which were fixed in a progressive bending position, and irreversible failure subsequently occurred. After all samples were damaged, several failure modes seen in all samples and groups were obtained, although fracture of the permanent plate, attached plate, and connecting rod was not observed. Moreover, no screw was loose, pulled out, or damaged, and the bone cement femoral stem was loose.

The fracture modes in all groups were similar (Fig. 8), and the failure modes in the LCP + LAP group were similar; that is, there was destruction of the upper cortex at the contact point of the medial femoral space, while no fracture of the femur was found. The failure mode of the OBS in the double-rod and double-cortex group showed not only destruction of the upper cortex at the contact point of the medial bone gap but also a stable transverse crack near the first bicortical screw on the lateral femur and a longitudinal fracture crack between the first bicortical screw and the second screw on the medial femur. This was observed in 3 of 6 samples. The failure mode of the OBS with double rods and a single cortex was similar to that of the combination of double rods and double cortices. Both had cortical failure of the LCP system, which originated from an oblique fracture (from top to bottom) from the first to the third screw in the proximal femur (6 samples) and from a stable transverse crack near the third screw (3 of 6 samples). Cortical damage to the LCP system and the stable oblique crack of the second screw originating from the long rod also occurred in the single-rod cross-fixation group of the OBS.

Fig. 8
figure 8

A The failure mode of the LCP + LAP group, B the failure mode of the bridged two-rod double-cortex group, C the failure mode of the bridged two-rod single-cortex group, and D the failure mode of the bridged single-rod cross-fixed group

Full size image

Discussion

Treatment of femoral PPFx is a major challenge in modern orthopaedics, and adequate fixation around the prosthesis and the choice of effective internal fixation remains clinically demanding.

This study compared the biomechanics of the LCP + LAP and the OBS for fixation of femoral PPFx. First, a load–displacement curve was obtained through an axial compression test, in which the slope of the stress–displacement curve is considered to demonstrate the stiffness of the internal fixation model as a whole (the fracture end contracts under the load). The initial axial stiffness of the LCP + LAP fixation group was not significantly different from that of the group in Lenz et al.’s study [26]. The stiffness measurements and torsion angles in our study can be used as biomechanical parameters, especially for the OBS. When simulating simple fractures in this study, no apparent difference in stiffness was observed among the four groups in the axial compression experiment (P > 0.05); however, the torsion angle of the LCP + LAP fixation group was higher than that of the OBS group (P < 0.05), which indicated that the biomechanics of the three OBS combinations were better than those of the LCP + LAP fixation group. When simulating the comminuted fracture, the structural stiffness of the three OBS combination groups was higher than that of the LCP + LAP group (P < 0.05), and the torsion angle of the LCP + LAP group was also higher than that of the bridging double-rod and double-cortex group (P < 0.05), indicating that the biomechanics of the OBS combination groups were still better than those of the LCP + LAP fixation group. However, when crushing a fracture, the axial compression stiffness of the comminuted fracture group was significantly lower than that of a simple fracture (P < 0.0125). Lenz et al. [26] reported that because the support of the cortex at the fracture was reduced, an implant load was needed at this time; therefore, internal fixation was very important for axial stability, especially for crushing a fracture. Finally, the results of the axial compression failure test showed that in OBS, the bridging double-rod and double-cortex fixation and bridging double-rod single cortex fixation have stronger resistance to destructive power than LCP + LAP. However, although the OBS had more fractures on the surface, its failure mode indicated that stress could be dispersed to the femur when the OBS was used in the femur during axial compression. It could be inferred that the failure mode of the locking steel plate was concentrated on the steel plate, which led to the steel plate bearing more stress than the femur. This is consistent with the stress distribution assessment of the finite element analysis of these two systems in the femur by Xiong Ying [17].

Kammerlander et al. [27] showed that patients aged ≥ 75 years who received treatment for hip fractures were unable to maintain postoperative weight-bearing limits, with 69% of patients exceeding more than twice the prescribed partial weight-bearing limits; therefore, the goal of treating periprosthetic fractures must be to facilitate immediate full weight-bearing. During gait, an internal fixation system needs to carry 2 to 2.4 times an individual’s weight [28, 29]. The destructive test results in this study were > 3000 N, which was sustainable. However, the concentration of stress on the plate may cause internal fixation fatigue failure due to high-stress cyclic loading during early functional exercise [30]. The OBS can withstand a higher axial load and distributes axial load to the femur, which could make it more suitable for early functional exercise and fracture healing.

Challenges when treating PPFx after cemented hip arthroplasty concern fixation around the prosthesis. Due to the inconvenience of double-cortex screw placement and the relative imbalance between proximal and distal fixation, pull-out of single cortex screws may occur in internal fixation. Fulkerson et al. [31] observed early failure and axial displacement of the single cortex locking screw under cyclic loading, and other biomechanical studies have shown that double-cortex screw internal fixation has advantages over single cortex screw or cortical ligation alone in proximal fixation of PPFx [26, 32,33,34,35,36]. In this study, double-cortex fixation of the OBS was guided using a C-arm machine. Moreover, because of the orientation and the corresponding angle of the OBS, the connecting block could be adjusted to achieve flexible screw placement, and double-cortex fixation of the OBS could be undertaken around the prosthesis without using additional devices. In the OBS bridging single-cortex fixation group, proximal fractures were fixed with single-cortex screws, but no proximal screw pull-out was observed during the fracture test, and the biomechanics were similar to that of the LCP + LAP fixation group. Using an OBS flexible connecting rod in the design for the bridge single-rod cross-fixation group, two fixed-rod screws can be placed at 90° in spatial distribution to achieve better stability of the fixed-rod screw. However, proximal fractures still occurred with single cortex fixation, although with no screw pull-out damage during the experiment. In the axial compression experiments, there was no significant difference in stiffness between the LCP + LAP fixation group and the bridge single-rod cross-fixation group; however, the anti-torsion performance was better. Insertion of the double-cortex screw was more resistant to pull out under cyclic loading, which is conducive to functional exercise in early rehabilitation and avoids screw pull-out failure [33].

It has been reported that minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis combined with LCP can be used as a surgical method for the treatment of Vancouver type B1 PPFx, with intraoperative advantages (shorter operation time and less blood loss) [37], and that the OBS can also be combined with Mippo technology for fracture treatment. Liangqi et al. [19] reported that the OBS combined with Mippo technology to treat ipsilateral proximal femoral and diaphyseal fractures had a high possibility of healing fractures and having a good functional effect. The OBS can also provide personalised internal fixation when combined with 3D printing applications for complex and challenging fractures around the prosthesis, with preoperative preparation having obvious advantages. Moreover, the OBS has many choices of fixed combinations, allowing greater flexibility for the operating surgeon, who can then obtain the best implant position, especially around the prosthetic implants.

This study had several limitations. A standard artificial femur was used in this study, which could simulate good bone reserve. Models for osteoporosis are available; however, this study did not simulate osteoporosis and low-quality bone. Patients with fractures around a femoral prosthesis comprised older adults, and these patients commonly have osteoporosis. Furthermore, in vitro simulation experiments, the influence of soft tissue involvement, the short- and long-term role of soft tissue in fracture stabilization and healing, and the convenience of OBS placement and screw placement could not be evaluated. The effects of cyclic loading were also not tested in this study.

Conclusions

This study showed that the axial stiffness of the three OBS combinations did not significantly differ from that of the LCP + LAP system in simple fractures around the femoral prosthesis; however, torsion resistance was higher in the three OBS combinations than in the LCP + LAP system. In the simulation of comminuted fracture, the axial stiffness of the OBS was better than that of the plate system, and the torsion resistance of the bridging double-rod and double-cortex system was outstanding. The failure mode of the failed experiment showed that the stress of the OBS was more dispersed, which was consistent with the findings of previous studies. The overall biomechanics of the OBS combinations was good, and the diversity and flexibility of the OBS combinations provided a range of treatment options. The next step will be to continue clinical research to evaluate its effectiveness and practical value.

Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

LCP + LAP:

Locking compression plate/locking attachment plate structure

OBS:

Ortho-Bridge System

ORIF:

Open reduction and internal fixation

PPFx:

Periprosthetic fracture

References

  1. Horwitz IB, Lenobel MI. Artificial hip prosthesis in acute and nonunion fractures of the femoral neck: follow-up study of seventy cases. J Am Med Assoc. 1954;155:564–7. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1954.03690240030009.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Finlayson G, Tucker A, Black ND, McDonald S, Molloy M, Wilson D. Outcomes and predictors of mortality following periprosthethic proximal femoral fractures. Injury. 2019;50:438–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2018.10.032.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Della Rocca GJ, Leung KS, Pape HC. Periprosthetic fractures: epidemiology and future projections. J Orthop Trauma. 2011;25(Suppl 2):S66-70. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0b013e31821b8c28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Berry DJ. Epidemiology. Orthop Clin North Am. 1999;30:183–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0030-5898(05)70073-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Garbuz DS, Masri BA, Duncan CP. Periprosthetic fractures of the femur: principles of prevention and management. Instr Course Lect. 1998;47:237–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lewallen DG, Berry DJ. Periprosthetic fracture of the femur after total hip arthroplasty: treatment and results to date. Instr Course Lect. 1998;47:243–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Younger AS, Dunwoody J, Duncan CP. Periprosthetic hip and knee fractures: the scope of the problem. Instr Course Lect. 1998;47:251–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Sidler-Maier CC, Waddell JP. Incidence and predisposing factors of periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures: a literature review. Int Orthop. 2015;39:1673–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2721-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Meek RM, Norwood T, Smith R, Brenkel IJ, Howie CR. The risk of peri-prosthetic fracture after primary and revision total hip and knee replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011;93:96–101. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.93B1.25087.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Duncan CP, Masri BA. Fractures of the femur after hip replacement. Instr Course Lect. 1995;44:293–304.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Rayan F, Dodd M, Haddad FS. European validation of the Vancouver classification of periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90:1576–9. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.90B12.20681.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Parvizi J, Vegari DN. Periprosthetic proximal femur fractures: current concepts. J Orthop Trauma. 2011;25(Suppl 2):S77-81. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0b013e31821b8c3b.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Pike J, Davidson D, Garbuz D, Duncan CP, O’Brien PJ, Masri BA. Principles of treatment for periprosthetic femoral shaft fractures around well-fixed total hip arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009;17:677–88. https://doi.org/10.5435/00124635-200911000-00002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Beals RK, Tower SS. Periprosthetic fractures of the femur. An analysis of 93 fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;327:238–46. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-199606000-00029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Masri BA, Meek RM, Duncan CP. Periprosthetic fractures evaluation and treatment. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004;420:80–95. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-200403000-00012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Perren SM. Evolution of the internal fixation of long bone fractures. The scientific basis of biological internal fixation: choosing a new balance between stability and biology. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2002;84:1093–110. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620x.84b8.13752.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang DX, Xiong Y, Deng H, Jia F, Gu S, Liu BL, et al. Biomechanical analysis and clinical effects of bridge combined fixation system for femoral fractures. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2014;228:899–907. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954411914548866.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Schwandt CS. User manual for the 4.5/5.5 mm VetFix: development of a new veterinary internal fixation system, from the prototype to the final version [Thesis]. Switzerland: University of Bern; 2001.

  19. Kang L, Liu H, Ding Z, Ding Y, Hu W, Wu J. Ipsilateral proximal and shaft femoral fractures treated with bridge-link type combined fixation system. J Orthop Surg Res. 2020;15:399. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-020-01929-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Ricci WM. Periprosthetic femur fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2015;29:130–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0000000000000282.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Frigg R. Development of the locking compression plate. Injury. 2003;34(Suppl 2):B6–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2003.09.020.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Papini M, Zdero R, Schemitsch EH, Zalzal P. The biomechanics of human femurs in axial and torsional loading: comparison of finite element analysis, human cadaveric femurs, and synthetic femurs. J Biomech Eng. 2007;129:12–9. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2401178.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wähnert D, Grüneweller N, Gehweiler D, Brunn B, Raschke MJ, Stange R. Double plating in Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic proximal femur fractures: a biomechanical study. J Orthop Res. 2017;35:234–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.23259.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Zdero R, Walker R, Waddell JP, Schemitsch EH. Biomechanical evaluation of periprosthetic femoral fracture fixation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90:1068–77. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.F.01561.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. O’Connell RS, Owen JR, Hansen EJ, Bashir AS, Wayne JS, Satpathy J, et al. Biomechanical evaluation of osteoporotic proximal periprosthetic femur fractures with proximal Bicortical fixation and allograft struts. J Orthop Trauma. 2018;32:508–14. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0000000000001261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Lenz M, Windolf M, Mückley T, Hofmann GO, Wagner M, Richards RG, et al. The locking attachment plate for proximal fixation of periprosthetic femur fractures—a biomechanical comparison of two techniques. Int Orthop. 2012;36:1915–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1574-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Kammerlander C, Pfeufer D, Lisitano LA, Mehaffey S, Böcker W, Neuerburg C. Inability of older adult patients with hip fracture to maintain postoperative weight-bearing restrictions. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2018;100:936–41. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.17.01222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Bergmann G, Deuretzbacher G, Heller M, Graichen F, Rohlmann A, Strauss J, et al. Hip contact forces and gait patterns from routine activities. J Biomech. 2001;34:859–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9290(01)00040-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Taylor SJ, Walker PS, Perry JS, Cannon SR, Woledge R. The forces in the distal femur and the knee during walking and other activities measured by telemetry. J Arthroplasty. 1998;13:428–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0883-5403(98)90009-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bagheri ZS, El Sawi I, Bougherara H, Zdero R. Biomechanical fatigue analysis of an advanced new carbon fiber/flax/epoxy plate for bone fracture repair using conventional fatigue tests and thermography. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2014;35:27–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.03.008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Fulkerson E, Koval K, Preston CF, Iesaka K, Kummer FJ, Egol KA. Fixation of periprosthetic femoral shaft fractures associated with cemented femoral stems: a biomechanical comparison of locked plating and conventional cable plates. J Orthop Trauma. 2006;20:89–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bot.0000199119.38359.96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Lenz M, Lehmann W, Wähnert D. Periprosthetic fracture fixation in osteoporotic bone. Injury. 2016;47(Suppl 2):S44-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-1383(16)47008-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lenz M, Perren SM, Gueorguiev B, Höntzsch D, Windolf M. Mechanical behavior of fixation components for periprosthetic fracture surgery. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2013;28:988–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Lenz M, Perren SM, Gueorguiev B, Richards RG, Hofmann GO, Fernandez dell’Oca A, et al. A biomechanical study on proximal plate fixation techniques in periprosthetic femur fractures. Injury. 2014;45(Suppl 1):S71–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2013.10.027.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Gwinner C, Märdian S, Dröge T, Schulze M, Raschke MJ, Stange R. Bicortical screw fixation provides superior biomechanical stability but devastating failure modes in periprosthetic femur fracture care using locking plates. Int Orthop. 2015;39:1749–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2787-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Lenz M, Gueorguiev B, Joseph S, van der Pol B, Richards RG, Windolf M, et al. Angulated locking plate in periprosthetic proximal femur fractures: biomechanical testing of a new prototype plate. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2012;132:1437–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1556-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Min BW, Cho CH, Son ES, Lee KJ, Lee SW, Min KK. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis with locking compression plate in patients with Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures. Injury. 2018;49:1336–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2018.05.020.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank all participants in this study for their enthusiasm, tireless work, and sustained support.

Funding

LCP + LAP components, artificial femur, and OBS components were provided by Tianjin Weiman Biomaterials Co., Ltd. No other funding support was received for this study.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Yuntao Long and Yubin Qi are co-first authors

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China

    Yuntao Long

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China

    Yubin Qi, Guilai Zuo & Wen Wang

  3. Newton Laboratories, Tianjin Weiman Biomaterials Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 301600, China

    Qingjie Zhang & Zhenlin Liu

Authors
  1. Yuntao Long
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yubin Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guilai Zuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qingjie Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhenlin Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wen Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

YL contributed to writing the paper, data analysis and collection. YQ contributed to searching the related articles and data analysis. GZ, QZ, and ZL contributed to experimental design and operation. WW contributed to data analysis and article revision. All authors have contributed significantly, are in agreement concerning the content of the manuscript, and have approved the manuscript for submission. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wen Wang.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Long, Y., Qi, Y., Zuo, G. et al. Femoral periprosthetic fracture treatment using the Ortho-Bridge System: a biomechanical study. J Orthop Surg Res 17, 301 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-022-03154-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-022-03154-w

Keywords

  • Biomechanical study
  • Ortho-Bridge System
  • Locking Compression Plate
  • Locking Attachment Plate
  • Vancouver B1 periprosthetic fracture

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

ISSN: 1749-799X