Which fixation approach provides compression and promotes osteogenesis?

Which fixation approach provides compression and promotes osteogenesis?

• A. Lag screws
• B. External fixation
• C. K-wires
• D. Lag screws and dynamic compression plates

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that creating interfragmentary compression across a fracture or osteotomy site promotes osteogenesis by reducing the gap and limiting interfragmentary motion, which encourages stable, primary bone healing. Lag screws generate direct compression across the fracture as the screw pulls the two fragments toward each other. But compression alone can be challenged to stay constant throughout healing due to loading and settling. Dynamic compression plates are designed to maintain or even increase compression as the construct bears load, with the plate slides or holes that allow the screw to drive continuous compression at the fracture site. Putting these together gives the best environment: lag screws provide immediate interfragmentary compression, and a dynamic compression plate maintains and augments that compression during healing, optimizing osteogenesis. Other fixation methods may provide stability or soft-tissue management, but they don’t offer the same reliable combination of immediate and sustained compression to promote bone healing as effectively as combining lag screws with dynamic compression plates.

The main idea is that creating interfragmentary compression across a fracture or osteotomy site promotes osteogenesis by reducing the gap and limiting interfragmentary motion, which encourages stable, primary bone healing.

Lag screws generate direct compression across the fracture as the screw pulls the two fragments toward each other. But compression alone can be challenged to stay constant throughout healing due to loading and settling. Dynamic compression plates are designed to maintain or even increase compression as the construct bears load, with the plate slides or holes that allow the screw to drive continuous compression at the fracture site.

Putting these together gives the best environment: lag screws provide immediate interfragmentary compression, and a dynamic compression plate maintains and augments that compression during healing, optimizing osteogenesis.

Other fixation methods may provide stability or soft-tissue management, but they don’t offer the same reliable combination of immediate and sustained compression to promote bone healing as effectively as combining lag screws with dynamic compression plates.