Fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures using a lateral plate in 14 dogs supported by finite element analysis of repair

W. T. Mc Cartney; D. P. Comiskey; B. Mac Donald; C. B. Garvan

doi:10.1160/VCOT-07-01-0002

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2007; 20(04): 285-290
DOI: 10.1160/VCOT-07-01-0002

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures using a lateral plate in 14 dogs supported by finite element analysis of repair

Authors

W. T. Mc Cartney

¹Marie Louise Veterinary Hospital, Baldoyle, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

²Medical Device and Orthopaedic Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
D. P. Comiskey

²Medical Device and Orthopaedic Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
B. Mac Donald

²Medical Device and Orthopaedic Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
C. B. Garvan

³Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Summary

Fourteen Spaniels that presented with an intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus were managed using a lateral plate and an additional pin in twelve cases. Fixation of the fracture was achieved using a plate applied laterally which incorporated the transcondylar lag screw in the most distal hole. Of the 14 cases, two had poor results, one of which was a bilateral case, whilst the remaining 12 cases had good or very good results with only occasional stiffness or lameness. Finite element (FE) modelling of a distal humerus was generated, and loading of fracture repairs using a lateral plate and caudal plate was completed in a comparative study to determine which fixation method resisted micro-motion most effectively. Finite element analysis revealed that the lateral plate fixation provided significantly more resistance to micro movement at the fracture site that the caudal plate fixation, with 40% more micro-motion in the latter.

Keywords

Intercondylar - fracture - finite - element

Full Text

References

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