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Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Screw Biomechanics - Pullout Strength and Thread Design

Implant Biomechanics

An orthopaedic registrar is planning internal fixation of a distal radius fracture in an elderly osteoporotic patient. She is considering screw selection to optimize fixation strength. During the pre-operative planning session, the consultant asks about the factors affecting screw pullout strength and the differences between cortical and cancellous screw design. Regarding screw biomechanics and pullout strength:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Screw pullout strength is determined primarily by the shear strength of bone at the thread-bone inte...

B

Thread pitch is the distance between adjacent threads; a smaller pitch means more threads per unit l...

C

The inner (core/minor) diameter of a screw determines pullout strength; increasing core diameter whi...

D

Cancellous screws have larger outer diameter relative to core diameter (deeper threads), coarser pit...

E

The outer (major) diameter is the single most important screw design factor for pullout strength as ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option