Abstract
Background: The optimal treatment of Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture in young patients remains a worldwide challenge in orthopedic surgery. Methods: Finite element models of four internal fixations were developed to treat Pauwels type III Femoral neck fracture: a: the traditional inverted triangular cannulated screw model, b: the F-technique cannulated screw model, c: the modified F-technique cannulated screw model using a fully threaded screw instead of a partially threaded distally, d: the dynamic hip screw coupled with anti-rotational screw model. Under the same conditions, finite element analyses were carried out to compare the displacement and von Mises stress distribution of four internal fixations and femurs, the maximum crack distances of the fracture surfaces, Z axis displacements of four models as well as the stress distribution in the subtrochanteric region. Results: The modified F-technique configuration resulted in a more stable fixation as compared to the other three approaches, with respect to the maximum displacement and stress peaks of femur and internal fixations, the maximum crack distances of the fracture surfaces, Z axis displacements of four configurations as well as the stress distribution in the subtrochanteric region.Conclusions: Our results suggested that modified F-technique configuration show a better performance in resisting shearing and rotational forces in treating Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures compared to those using traditional inverted triangular, the F-technique configuration or dynamic hip screw coupled with anti-rotational screw, providing a new choice for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.
Finite element analysis of different internal fixation methods for the treatment of Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture