Factors Affecting the Pullout Strength of Cancellous Bone Screws

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Tập 118 Số 3 - Trang 391-398 - 1996
Jens R. Chapman1, R. Harrington1, K. M. Lee1, Paul A. Anderson1, A F Tencer1, Damian Kowalski1
1Harborview Biomechanics Laboratory of the Department of Orthopaedics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195

Tóm tắt

Screws placed into cancellous bone in orthopedic surgical applications, such as fixation of fractures of the femoral neck or the lumbar spine, can be subjected to high loads. Screw pullout is a possibility, especially if low density osteoporotic bone is encountered. The overall goal of this study was to determine how screw thread geometry, tapping, and cannulation affect the holding power of screws in cancellous bone and determine whether current designs achieve maximum purchase strength. Twelve types of commercially available cannulated and noncannulated cancellous bone screws were tested for pullout strength in rigid unicellular polyurethane foams of apparent densities and shear strengths within the range reported for human cancellous bone. The experimentally derived pullout strength was compared to a predicted shear failure force of the internal threads formed in the polyurethane foam. Screws embedded in porous materials pullout by shearing the internal threads in the porous material. Experimental pullout force was highly correlated to the predicted shear failure force (slope = 1.05, R2 = 0.947) demonstrating that it is controlled by the major diameter of the screw, the length of engagement of the thread, the shear strength of the material into which the screw is embedded, and a thread shape factor (TSF) which accounts for screw thread depth and pitch. The average TSF for cannulated screws was 17 percent lower than that of noncannulated cancellous screws, and the pullout force was correspondingly less. Increasing the TSF, a result of decreasing thread pitch or increasing thread depth, increases screw purchase strength in porous materials. Tapping was found to reduce pullout force by an average of 8 percent compared with nontapped holes (p = 0.0001). Tapping in porous materials decreases screw pullout strength because the removal of material by the tap enlarges hole volume by an average of 27 percent, in effect decreasing the depth and shear area of the internal threads in the porous material.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

ASTM D732–90, 1990, “Standard Test Method for Shear Strength of Plastics by Punch Tool,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 8-Plastics, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, pp. 237–239.

Baker B. E. , SpadaroJ. A., BakerB., WernerF. W., JerryJ., BakerC., and GreenkyS., 1988, “Bone Screw Optimization in the ‘Modified Bristow Procedure’ for Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder,” Trans ORS, Vol. 12, p. 447447.

Benterud J. G. , HusbyT., GraadahlO., and AlhoA., 1992, “Implant Holding Power of the Femoral Head. A Cadaver Study of Fracture Screws,” Acta Orthop Scand, Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 47–49.

Carlson G. D. , AbitbolJ. J., AndersonD. R., KragM. H., KostuikJ. P., WooS. L.-Y., and GarfinS. R., 1992, “Screw Fixation in the Human Sacrum. An In Vitro Study of the Biomechanics of Fixation,” Spine, Vol. 17, No. 6 Suppl, pp. S196–S203S196–S203.

Carter D. R. , and HayesW. C., 1976, “Bone Compressive Strength: The Influence of Density and Strain Rate,” Science, Vol. 194, pp. 1174–1176.

Daum W. J. , TencerA. F., CartwrightT. J., SimmonsD. J., WoodardP. L., and KoulisisC. W., 1988, “Pull-Out Strengths of Bone Screws at Various Sites About the Pelvis-A Preliminary Study,” J Orthop Trauma, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 229–233.

DeCoster T. A. , HeetderksD. B., DowneyD. J., FerriesJ. S., and JonesW., 1990, “Optimizing Bone Screw Pullout Force,” J Orthop Trauma, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 169–174.

Evans M. , SpencerM., WangQ., WhiteS. H., and CunninghamJ. L., 1990, “Design and Testing of External Fixator Bone Screws,” J Biomed Eng, Vol. 12, pp. 457–462.

FED-STD-H28/2B, 1990, “Appendix B-Design of Unified Screw Threads,” Screw-Thread Standards for Federal Services, Interdepartmental Screw-Thread Committee, National Bureau of Standards, General Services Administration, Washington DC, pp. 54–66.

Finlay J. B. , HaradaI., BourneR. B., RorabeckC. H., HardieR., and ScottM. A., 1989, “Analysis of the Pull-Out Strength of Screws and Pegs Used to Secure Tibial Components Following Total Knee Arthroplasty,” Clin Orthop, Vol. 247, pp. 220–231.

Gibson, L., and Ashby, M., 1988, “Cancellous Bone,” Cellular Solids: Structure & Properties, Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 316–331.

Hayes, W. C., 1991, “Biomechanics of Cortical and Trabecular Bone: Implications for Assessment of Fracture Risk,” Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Mow, V. C., and Hayes, W. C., eds., Raven Press, New York, pp. 93–142.

Hearn T. C. , SchatzkerJ., and WolfsonN., 1993, “Extraction Strength of Cannulated Cancellous Bone Screws,” J Orthop Trauma, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 138–141.

Hearn T. C. , SurowiakJ. F., SchatzkerJ., and SzalaiJ. P., 1992, “Effects of Tapping on the Holding Strength of Cancellous Bone Screws,” Vet Compar Orthop Traumatol, Vol. 5, pp. 10–12.

Hein T. J. , PerissinottoA., HotchkissR., and ChaoE. Y. S., 1987, “Analysis of bone model material for external fracture fixation experiments,” ISA, Vol. 87-108, pp. 43–48.

Hughes A. N. , and JordanB. A., 1972, “The Mechanical Properties of Surgical Bone Screws and Some Aspects of Insertion Practice,” Injury, Vol. 4, pp. 25–38.

Krag M. H. , BeynnonB. D., PopeM. H., FrymoyerJ. W., HaughL. D., and WeaverD. L., 1986, “An Internal Fixator for Posterior Application to Short Segments of the Thoracic, Lumbar, or Lumbosacral Spine. Design and Testing,” Clin Orthop, Vol. 203, pp. 75–98.

Nunamaker D. M. , and PerrenS. M., 1976, “Force Measurements in Screw Fixation,” J. Biomechanics, Vol. 9, pp. 669–675.

Oberg, E., Jones, F. D., and Horton, H. L., 1987, “Working Strength of Bolts,” Machinery’s Handbook, Ryffel, H. H., ed., Industrial Press, New York, pp. 1068–1069.

Perren S. M. , CordeyJ., BaumgartF., RahnB. A., and SchatzkerJ., 1992, “Technical and Biomechanical Aspects of Screws Used for Bone Surgery,” Int J Orthop Trauma, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 31–48.

Ragnarsson J. I. , KarrholmJ., “Factors Influencing Postoperative Movement in Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures: Evaluation by Conventional Radiography and Stereoradiography,” J Orthop Trauma, 6:152–158, 1992.

Ransom N. , LaRoccaS. H., ThalgottJ., “The Case for Pedicle Fixation of the Lumbar Spine,” Spine, 19:2702–2706, 1994.

Schatkzer J. , SandersonR., MurnaghanJ. P., 1975, “The Holding Power of Orthopedic Screws In Vivo,” Clin Orthop, 108:115–26.

Schatzker, J., Alho, A., and Sheehan, J., 1990, “Screws and Plates and Their Application,” Manual of Internal Fixation, Muller, M. E., et al., eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, p. 184.

Sell P. , CollinsM., and DoveJ., 1988, “Pedicle Screws: Axial Pull-Out Strength in the Lumbar Spine,” Spine, Vol. 13, No. 9, pp. 1075–1076.

Shaw J. A. , 1987, “A Biomechanical Comparison of Scaphoid Screws,” J Hand Surg, Vol. 12A, No. 3, pp. 347–353.

Stone J. L. , BeaupreG. S., and HayesW. C., 1983, “Multiaxial Strength Characteristics of Trabecular Bone,” J Biomech, Vol. 16, No. 9, pp. 743–752.

Swartz D. E. , WittenbergR. H., SheaM., WhiteA. A. I., and HayesW. C., 1991, “Physical and Mechanical Properties of Calf Lumbosacral Trabecular Bone,” J. Biomechanics, Vol. 24, No. 11, pp. 1059–1068.

Swiontkowski M. F. , HarringtonR. M., KellerT. S., and Van PattenP. K., 1987, “Torsion and Bending Analysis of Internal Fixation Techniques for Femoral Neck Fractures: The Role of Implant Design and Bone Density,” J Orthop Research, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 433–444.