Polymer biodegradable fixators in the treatment of near- and intra articular fractures

Abstract

We have observed an increase in the number of patients with intra-articular fractures, as well as in the severity of such fractures. Traditionally, metal implants such as wires, capless screws, Herbert screws are used for osteosynthesis of intra-articular fractures with small bone and cartilage fragments. However, the metal implants have their drawbacks. Biodegradable fixatives (BDF) made from a copolymer of polylactic and polyglycolic acids (PLGA) could be an alternative to the implants. Two groups of 132 people with intra-articular fractures of different localization were formed, biodegradable implants were used in the main group, metal implants were used in the control group. The groups were correlated by sex, age and nature of fractures. We compared the time spent in the operating room for similar operations, the number of operations to remove the fixators in both groups, and the number of complications. Compared functional outcomes. We assessed the possibility of interpreting MSCT and MRI data in the isolated use of BDF. In the group with the use of biodegradable implants, fewer removal operations were required (44%) than in the group without the use of biodegradable implants (58%), which is statistically significant. Complications developed in the main group amounted to 3% (4 cases), while in the group with metal implants they amounted to 10% (13 cases). We have found that the use of biodegradable implants has satisfactory clinical results, a low percentage of implant removal operations, and lower complications rate.