Percutaneous Strain Reduction Screws are a Cost Effective and Reproducible method to treat Long Bone Non-union

Description

In this presentation, Matthew Bence discusses the percutaneous treatment of non-union in long bone fractures, emphasizing its prevalence, particularly in tibial fractures, and the associated economic burden. He describes how traditional treatments are often invasive and costly, leading to the exploration of minimally invasive alternatives such as percutaneous strain reduction screws. This method employs stab incisions to place screws that counteract shear strain at the fracture site, promoting healing without the need for hardware removal.



Bence presents evidence from a multicenter study demonstrating an 88% union rate within 5.2 months post-treatment, analyzing patient characteristics across different institutions. He notes that while the developer institution achieved quicker treatment timelines, the overall success rates remained consistent across settings. Notably, complications from the procedure were minimal, with no significant infections reported.



The discussion includes a cost analysis showing potential savings compared to traditional methods and highlights the lack of additional complexity in subsequent revision surgeries. Bence concludes by advocating for the adoption of this technique due to its safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness, while acknowledging the limitations of the study, particularly its retrospective design and patient selection criteria. The session ends with a Q&A segment where Bence addresses audience inquiries about patient selection and the timing of treatment for optimal success.

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