In vitro biomechanical evaluation and comparison of a new prototype locking plate and a limited-contact self compression plate for equine fracture repair

D. D. Quinteros; J. M. García-López; G. A. Abuja; M. Tarkanian; L. S. Maranda; K. Bubeck; M. P. Kowaleski

doi:10.3415/VCOT-11-01-0011

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25(04): 273-280
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-11-01-0011

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

In vitro biomechanical evaluation and comparison of a new prototype locking plate and a limited-contact self compression plate for equine fracture repair

D. D. Quinteros

¹Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachussetts, USA

,

J. M. García-López

¹Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachussetts, USA

,

G. A. Abuja

¹Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachussetts, USA

,

M. Tarkanian

²Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachussetts, USA

,

L. S. Maranda

³Division of Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachussetts, USA

,

K. Bubeck

¹Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachussetts, USA

,

M. P. Kowaleski

¹Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachussetts, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Objective: To determine if the mechanical properties (strength and stiffness) of a new prototype 4.5 mm broad locking plate (NP-LP) are comparable with those of a traditional 4.5 mm broad limited-contact self compression plate (LC-SCP), and to compare the bending and torsional properties of the NP-LP and LCSCP when used in osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones (MC3).

Methods: The plates alone were tested in four-point bending single cycle to failure. The MC3-plate constructs were created with middiaphyseal osteotomies with a 1 cm gap. Constructs were tested in four-point bending single cycle to failure, four-point bending cyclic fatigue, and torsion single cycle to failure.

Results: There were not any significant differences in bending strength and stiffness found between the two implants. The MC3-NP-LP construct was significantly stiffer than the MC3-LC-SCP in bending. No other biomechanical differences were found in bending, yield load in torsion, or mean composite rigidity. Mean cycles to failure for bending fatigue testing were similar for both constructs.

Clinical significance: The NP-LP was comparable to the LC-SCP in intrinsic, as well as structural properties. The NP-LP construct was more rigid than the LC-SCP construct under four-point bending, and both constructs behaved similarly under four-point bending cyclic fatigue testing and torsion single cycle to failure. The new NP-LP implant fixation is biomechanically comparable to the LC-SCP in a simulated MC3 fracture.

Keywords

Locking plates - locking screws - equine - fracture repair

Full Text

References

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