--- title: "Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures. | Sutter Health" description: "The clinical implication of this study is that locking plates may be advantageous in patients with the most severe osteoporosis." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/fixation-osteoporotic-distal-fibula-fx-1055312983" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures. # Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures: A biomechanical comparison of locking versus conventional plates. Kim T, Ayturk UM, Haskell A, Miclau T, & Puttlitz CM. _J Foot Ankle Surg. 46(1):2-6._ 2007-01-01 ## Abstract The increased use of locking plates to treat difficult fracture scenarios has been advocated in patients that have reduced bone mineral density. One of these difficult fracture patterns, fixation of the distal fragment of a distal fibula fracture, may depend on unicortical and cancellous bony purchase. This study investigated the construct stiffness afforded by using locking and conventional plating schema in a cadaveric model. Overall, the data indicate that a locking plate construct with two distal unicortical screws was mechanically equivalent to standard plating with 3 distal screws. In addition, fixation with the standard plates was dependent on bone mineral density (BMD) whereas the locking plate fixation was independent of BMD. The clinical implication of this study is that locking plates may be advantageous in patients with the most severe osteoporosis. [PubMed abstract](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17198946/) ![Andrew Haskell, M.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/e19Z0QwiEJVIawTe_Uey_VlyYexupaSsdn87lO6XoJk/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Andrew Haskell, M.D. Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/andrew-haskell-md-1049681101) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972) Haskell A, Pfeiff C, Mann R. Foot Ankle Int. 25(11):774-7. 2004 Nov 01 - Publication ### [Electromagnetic transduction therapy for Achilles tendinopathy: a preliminary report on a new technology.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/electromagnetic-tranduction-tx-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312492) Gerdesmeyer L, Saxena A, Klueter T, Harrasser N, Fullem B, Krath A. J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):964-967. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.014. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [External auditory exostoses: evaluation and treatment.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/external-auditory-exostoses-evaluation-treatment-1055312964) Hetzler DG. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 139(3):482; author reply 482. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.629. 2008 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Osteoarthritis of the ankle: the role of arthroplasty.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/arthroplasty-ankle-osteoarthritis-1055312979) Chou LB, Coughlin MT, Hansen S Jr, Haskell A, Lundeen G, Saltzman CL, Mann RA. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 16(5):249-59. 2008 May 01 - Publication ### [Use of an anti-gravity treadmill in the rehabilitation of the operated achilles tendon: a pilot study.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/anti-gravity-treadmill-achilles-tendon-rehab-1055312414) Saxena A, Granot A. J Foot Ankle Surg. 50(5):558-61. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2011.04.045. Epub 2011 Jun 23. Send to: 2011 Sep 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/fixation-osteoporotic-distal-fibula-fx-1055312983#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/fixation-osteoporotic-distal-fibula-fx-1055312983#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures: A biomechanical comparison of locking versus conventional plates.","headline":"Fixation of osteoporotic distal fibula fractures.","abstract":"The increased use of locking plates to treat difficult fracture scenarios has been advocated in patients that have reduced bone mineral density. 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