Biomechanical comparison of fixation stability using a Lisfranc plate versus transarticular screws

Ho, Nathan C.<sup>1,2</sup>; Sangiorgio, Sophia N.<sup>1,3</sup>; Cassinelli, Spenser<sup>4</sup>; Shymon, Stephen<sup>4</sup>; Fleming, John<sup>4</sup>; Agrawal, Virat<sup>1,2</sup>; Ebramzadeh, Edward<sup>1,3</sup>; Harris, Thomas G.<sup>4</sup>

Affiliations

¹The J. Vernon Luck, Sr., M.D. Orthopaedic Research Center, Orthopaedic Institute for Children, in Alliance with UCLA, 403 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States

²University of Southern California Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, CA, United States

³University of California, Los Angeles Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, United States

⁴Los Angeles County Harbor—UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract and keywords

Background: To obtain adequate fixation in treating Lisfranc soft tissue injuries, the joint is commonly stabilized using multiple transarticular screws; however iatrogenic injury is a concern. Alternatively, two parallel, longitudinally placed plates, can be used to stabilize the 1st and 2nd tarsometatarsal joints; however this may not provide adequate stability along the Lisfranc ligament. Several biomechanical studies have compared earlier methods of fixation using plates to the standard transarticular screw fixation method, highlighting the potential issue of transverse stability using plates. A novel dorsal plate is introduced, intended to provide transverse and longitudinal stability, without injury to the articular cartilage.

Methods: A biomechanical cadaver model was developed to compare the fixation stability of a novel Lisfranc plate to that of traditional fixation, using transarticular screws. Thirteen pairs of cadaveric specimens were tested intact, after a simulated Lisfranc injury, and then following implant fixation, using one method of fixation randomly assigned, on either side of each pair. Optical motion tracking was used to measure the motion between each of the following four bones: 1st metatarsal, 2nd metatarsal, 1st cuneiform, and 2nd cuneiform. Testing included both cyclic abduction loading and cyclic axial loading.

Results: Both the Lisfranc plate and screw fixation method provided stability such that the average 3D motions across the Lisfranc joint (between 2nd metatarsal and 1st cuneiform), were between 0.2 and 0.4 mm under cyclic abduction loading, and between 0.4 and 0.5 mm under cyclic axial loading. Comparing the stability of fixation between the Lisfranc plate and the screws, the differences in motion were all 0.3 mm or lower, with no clinically significant differences (p > 0.16).

Conclusions: Diastasis at the Lisfranc joint following fixation with a novel plate or transarticular screw fixation were comparable. Therefore, the Lisfranc plate may provide adequate support without risk of iatrogenic injury to the articular cartilage.

Keywords: Lisfranc injury; Plate; Fixation; Biomechanics

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2017.08.004

PubMed: 29409256

WoS: 000458251300013

History

Received: 2017-03-03

Revised: 2017-07-28

Accepted: 2017-08-08

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