Biomechanical Study of Mini-Titanium Plate in Different Placement for Fixing Metatarsals Fractures

Objective: To study relevant biomechanical performance of mini-titanum-plate in different placement of treatment of foot fracture, and evaluate the effects of mini-plate applied to fractures of hands and feet. Method: Six adult cadaver foots made in metatarsals fracture model (transverse fracture of the middle, from the second toe to the fifth toe), including 3 males and 3 females, with an average of 41 years old (ranged from 23 to 50 years old). All 54 Metatarsals were divided into 2 groups randomly and made inner fixed with Medicon mini-plate in dorsal (A group) and lateral (B group) side according grouping respectively then fracture model fixed in special fixture applied by Electronic universal testing machine and Torsion testing machine for biomechanical test. Biomechanical tests including axial com- pression, tension, then A and B group. Tree-point bend, and torsion were made in each model, then compared between. Result: Comparison in biomechanics: the strength of three point bend in dorsal group is higher than lateral group obvi- ously (p 0.05). Conclusion: The comparison of the strength of three-point bend for metatarsals frac- ture fixed by Mini-plate: the strength of dorsal placement is higher than lateral placement and the different placement affects biomechanical strength.