Screw loosening in ankle syndesmosis fixation is a major problem causing permanent arthritis. Loosening is caused by axial and transverse loading, resulting in joint malreduction. Our goal was to develop a fixation method to minimize screw loosening by optimizing screw insertion angles. Finite element analysis, pullout, load-to-failure, and cyclic shear testing were used to find the optimal screw insertion angles. Results indicate 0 deg(*) screws have significantly greater pullout strength than 23* or 45*, 23* screws create a stiffer fixation than 0*, and a two-screw system with 0* and 23* screws is able to withstand greater transverse loads than the current gold standard of two 0* screws. Findings indicate a screw system of 0* and 23* angled screws will provide better fixation.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kelley, Suzanna Rachel
• Krebs, Julia Mary
• Theoharidis, Zachary Spero

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042512-230957

Advisor

• Billiar, Kristen

Year

• 2012

Sponsor

• John Wixted, M.D.

Date created

• 2012-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright