Compression force and pullout strength comparison of bioabsorbable implants for osteochondral lesion fixation.

We conducted a study to characterize compression forces and pullout strengths of 4 commercially available bioabsorbable nails and screws in a synthetic bone model. A piezoelectric sensor was used to measure peak compression forces, and a material testing machine was used to measure maximum pullout strengths. The strongest compression force was found for SmartScrew (12.7 N), then SmartNail (12.3 N), LactoNail (8.5 N), and ReUnite Screw (5.1 N). Mean compression force was significantly (P<.05) different between LactoNail and SmartScrew, ReUnite Screw and SmartNail, and ReUnite Screw and SmartScrew. The most pullout strength was found for SmartScrew (530 N), then ReUnite Screw (414 N), SmartNail (336 N), and LactoNail (189 N). These values were all statistically significantly (P<.05) different from each other. In this model, SmartScrew had the overall strongest compression force and most pullout strength.