Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38724941›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2024

In vivo axial load-share ratio measurement using a novel hexapod system for safe external fixator removal.

Sida Liu, Lin Lu, Tao Chen, Yanshi Liu, Dong Wei, Jun Miao, Defu Yu, Xuefei Fu

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Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Sida Liu *School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Lin Lu *Department of Radiotherapy, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Tao Chen *Department of Orthopedics, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Yanshi LiuDepartment of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Dong WeiDepartment of Orthopedics Surgery, Tianjin Academy Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Jun MiaoDepartment of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China. mj6688@tju.edu.cn.
Defu YuDepartment of Orthopedics, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China. anhuiyudefu@sina.com.
Xuefei FuDepartment of Orthopedics, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China. fxf18355105781@outlook.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExternal fixation is widely used in the treatment of traumatic fractures; however, orthopedic surgeons encounter challenges in deciding the optimal time for fixator removal. The axial load-share ratio (LS) of the fixator is a quantitative index to evaluate the stiffness of callus healing. This paper introduces an innovative method for measuring the LS and assesses the method's feasibility and efficacy. Based on a novel hexapod LS-measurement system, the proposed method is to improve the convenience and precision of measuring LS in vivo, hence facilitating the safe removal of external fixators.

methodsA novel hexapod system is introduced, including its composition, theoretical model, and method for LS measurement. We conducted a retrospective study on 82 patients with tibial fractures treated by the Taylor Spatial Frame in our hospital from September 2018 to June 2020, of which 35 took LS measurements with our novel method (Group I), and 47 were with the traditional method (Group II). The external fixator was removed when the measurement outcome (LS < 10%) was consistent with the surgeon's diagnosis based on the clinical and radiological assessment (bone union achieved).

resultsNo significant difference was found in the fracture healing time (mean 25.3 weeks vs. 24.9 weeks, P > 0.05), frame-wearing duration (mean 25.5 weeks vs. 25.8 weeks, P > 0.05), or LS measurement frequency (mean 1.1 times vs. 1.2 times, P > 0.05). The measurement system installation time in Group I was significantly shorter compared to Group II (mean 14.8 min vs. 81.3 min, P < 0.001). The LS value of the first measurement in Group I was lower than that of Group II (mean 5.1% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.011). In Group I, the refracture rate was 0, but in Group II it was 4.3% (2/47, P > 0.05).

conclusionThe novel hexapod LS-measurement system and involved method demonstrated enhanced convenience and precision in measuring the LS of the external fixator in vivo. The LS measurement indicates the callus stiffness of fracture healing, and is applicable to evaluate the safety of removing the fixator. Consequently, it is highly recommended for widespread adoption in clinical practice.

Indexed as

Device RemovalExternal FixatorsFracture FixationFracture HealingTibial FracturesAdultAgedEquipment DesignFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesWeight-BearingYoung AdultAxial load-share ratioCallus stiffnessFixator removalForce measurement systemFracture healingHexapod external fixator

Identifiers

PMID38724941
PMCPMC11080187

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.