Amount of lateral cortex loss in the femur while inserting a DHS-plate

Authors: MAHMUT NEDİM AYTEKİN, FATİH KÜÇÜKDURMAZ, ALİ FIRAT ESMER, NECDET SAĞLAM, FUAT AKPINAR

Abstract: Although many anatomic, morphologic, and radiologic studies have been carried out for the femur as for all other bones of the skeletal system, we could not find any morphometric study to guide orthopedic surgeons on dynamic hip screw-plate (DHS-plate) applications of the proximal femur. Materials and methods: The lateral cortex width of 125 adult, dry, and grossly intact right and left cadaver femora was measured for the region of the femur in which the DHS-plate was applied, and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean value of the proximal lateral cortex width of the femora was 27.63 mm. While inserting the DHS-plate, 45.24% of the mean width of the lateral cortex was lost. Conclusion: In this study we demonstrated the amount of lateral cortex loss in the femur while inserting a DHS-plate. New mechanical studies may be needed to show the amount of lateral cortex loss that leads to the fracture.

Keywords: DHS-plate, lateral cortex, proximal femur

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