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A Biomechanical Comparison of Fiberglass Casts and 3-Dimensional-Printed, Open-Latticed, Ventilated Casts.
- Source :
-
Hand (New York, N.Y.) [Hand (N Y)] 2020 Nov; Vol. 15 (6), pp. 842-849. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Feb 27. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to quantify the stabilizing properties of a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed short-arm cast and compare those properties with traditional fiberglass casts in a cadaveric subacute distal radius fracture model. Methods: A cadaveric subacute fracture model was created in 8 pairs of forearms. The specimens were equally allocated to a fiberglass cast or 3D-printed cast group. All specimens were subjected to 3 biomechanical testing modalities simulating daily life use: flexion and extension of digits, pronation and supination of the hand, and 3-point bending. Between each loading modality, radiological evaluation of the specimens was performed to evaluate possible interval displacement. Interfragmentary motion was quantified using a 3D motion-tracking system. Results: Radiographic assessment did not reveal statistically significant differences in radiographic parameters between the 2 groups before and after biomechanical testing. A statistically significant difference in interfragmentary motion was calculated with the 3-point bending test, with a mean difference of 0.44 (±0.48) mm of motion. Conclusions: A statistically significant difference in interfragmentary motion between the 2 casting groups was only identified in 3-point bending. However, the clinical relevance of this motion remains unclear as the absolute motion is less than 1 mm. The results of this study show noninferiority of the 3D-printed casts compared with the traditional fiberglass casts in immobilizing a subacute distal radius fracture model. These results support the execution of a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing both casting techniques.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1558-9455
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Hand (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30813805
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1558944719831341