ObjectiveTo explore the mechanical stability of the three-dimensional (3-D) external fixator for osteoporotic fracture so as to provide the biomechanical basis for clinical application. MethodsForty-five fresh frozen adult tibial specimens were selected to rapidly prepare the extracorporal tibia osteoporotic fracture models, and were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=15). Fractures were fixed with 3-D external fixators (3-D external fixators group), intramedullary nails (intramedullary nail group), and plate (plate group) respectively. Five specimens randomly from each group were used to do axial compression test, three-point bending test, and torsion test with microcomputer control electronic universal testing machine, then the mechanical parameters were calculated. ResultsIn the axial compression test, the displacement of 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group were shorter than plate group, showing significant differences (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group (P>0.05). In the three-point bending test and torsion test, the deflection and the torsional angle of 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group were smaller than plate group, showing significant differences (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group (P>0.05). ConclusionThe 3-D external fixator can fix fracture three-dimensionally from multiple plane and it can offer strong fixing. It is biomechanically demonstrated to be suitable for osteoporotic fracture.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the disease burden of osteoporotic fracture (OPF) in China.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP database for observational studies of the disease burden of osteoporosis in China from inception to Jan 30th, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies.The descriptive analysis was used to analyze the economic burden of OPF in China.ResultsA total of 23 studies were included. The average cost of OPF was 27 561.27 yuan. Women were more prone to OPF than men. Hip and spinal fractures were the diseases which had higher average hospital costs.ConclusionsWomen are more prone to osteoporotic fractures than men. The higher hospital costs of OPF may cause the reason for growing financial burden of patients. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify conclusions.