Tension-band high-strength suture combined with absorbable screws with cortical penetration for treating Mayo type IIA olecranon fractures: finite element analysis, biomechanical testing, and clinical study
Abstract
Objective: Tension-band wiring with Kirschner wires (TBW) is a common surgical technique for olecranon fractures (OFs), but has limitations like implant removal and soft tissue irritation. Tension-band high-strength suture with absorbable screw (TBSAS) technique can effectively solve these issues. This study aims to demonstrate the biomechanical stability and clinical efficacy of the TBSASC technique for treating OFs (Mayo IIA) (AO 21-B1.1).
Methods: Four finite element models for OFs (Mayo IIA) compared fixation constructs: TBW with cortical penetration (TBWC), TBW with intramedullary fixation (TBWM), TBSAS with cortical penetration (TBSASC), and TBSAS with intramedullary fixation (TBSASM). Displacement and stress distributions were analyzed under various loading conditions. Corresponding 3D-printed physical models tested static tensile strength, fatigue resistance, and torsional stability. Clinically, 13 patients with OFs (Mayo IIA) treated with TBSASC between April 2023 and April 2025 were prospectively followed. Operative data, complications, fracture healing, range of motion, VAS pain score, and MEPS were recorded to assess safety and efficacy.
Results: Finite element analysis (FEA) showed the TBSASC group achieved mean fracture displacements slightly inferior but without statistical significance to the gold-standard TBWC group (max 0.192 mm vs. 0.178 mm, p > 0.05). TBSASC significantly reduced stress on both implants (max 79.99 MPa) and bone (85.80 MPa) compared to…
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Survey on Knowledge Graphs: Representation, Acquisition, and Applications
- Toxicity of nanomaterials
- The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies
- Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective
- Biofilm formation at the air–liquid interface by the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 wrinkly spreader requires an acetylated form of cellulose
- Opioid Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Contributes to Drug Reinforcement
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.