Stiffness of a type II external skeletal fixator and locking compression plate in a fracture gap model

Objective To compare the stiffness of constructs fixed with a type II external skeletal fixator (ESF) or a 3.5‐mm locking compression plate (LCP) in axial compression and bending with a fracture gap model. Study design Quasi‐static four‐point bending and axial compression tests. Sample population Ten LCP and 10 ESF immobilizing epoxy cylinders with a 40‐mm fracture gap. Methods Five constructs of each type were tested in nondestructive mediolateral (ML) four‐point bending and then rotated and tested in nondestructive craniocaudal (CC) four‐point bending. Five additional constructs of each type were tested in nondestructive axial compression. Stiffness was compared between loading modes by construct type and between construct types by loading mode. Results Type II ESF were stiffer than LCP in ML bending (difference, 1474 N/mm, P