• A Moroni, C Faldini, S Marchetti, M Manca, V Consoli, and S Giannini.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bologna University, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Italy. a.moroni@ior.it
• J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001 May 1;83-A(5):717-21.

BackgroundAchieving adequate fixation strength in osteoporotic bone is a challenge. In this study, we examined the use of hydroxyapatite-coated tapered external-fixation pins for the fixation of wrist fractures in patients with osteoporosis.MethodsTwenty female patients with osteoporosis and a fracture of the wrist were divided into two paired groups and randomized to receive either standard tapered pins or hydroxyapatite-coated tapered pins. Two pins were inserted in the distal part of the radius, two pins were inserted in the second metacarpal, and an external fixation device was mounted. All fixation devices were removed six weeks after surgery.ResultsThe mean pin-insertion torque (and standard deviation) was 461 +/- 254 Nmm in the group managed with standard pins and 332 +/- 176 Nmm in the group managed with hydroxyapatite-coated pins (p = 0.01). The mean pin-extraction torque was 191 +/- 155 Nmm in the group managed with standard pins and 600 +/- 214 Nmm in the group managed with hydroxyapatite-coated pins (p < 0.0001, power 95%). The mean extraction torque was lower than the corresponding insertion torque at each pin position in the group managed with standard pins (p < 0.05), whereas the mean extraction torque was higher than the corresponding insertion torque at each pin position in the group managed with hydroxyapatite-coated pins (p = 0.001). Two patients managed with standard pins and no patient managed with hydroxyapatite-coated pins had a pin-track infection. Pain during pin removal did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionsThe present study showed that hydroxyapatite-coated tapered external-fixation pins provided improved fixation in the treatment of wrist fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

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