Purpose: Tension band constructs are commonly used for olecranon fracture fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a tension band constructed of No. 2 Dynacord suture, a silicone and salt-filled core within a UHMWPE sheath that expands radially and shortens axially when exposed to saline aqueous environment will provide constant initial static ompression forces compared to No. 2 FiberWire and stainless 18-gauge metal wire tension band.
Methods: A transverse osteotomy was placed in two sawbones models. Two 1.6 K-wires were placed across the osteotomy site and a Tekscan pressure sensor placed into the osteotomy site. The figure 8 tension band construct was then preform using No. 2 Dynacord, No 2. Fiberwire and 18-gauge gauge metal wire though a distal drilled 2 mm bone tunnel. The tension band constructs were placed in saline solution in a 37°C incubator for the one-week period to monitor compression load changes.
Results: All Dynacord constructs increased the compression forces across the osteotomy site over the 1st week. The average change of force across the osteotomy site for No. 2 Dynacord cord suture increase by 0.35 lbs. (SEM 0.35). The No. 2 Fiberwire average change of force decreased by 0.9 lbs. over 1 week (SEM 0 .04).
Conclusion: The Dynacord suture was seen to maintain and increase the initial compression force across the osteotomy site compared to the Fiberwire tension band construct.
