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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25(06): 439-444
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-12-01-0002
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

The effect of external coaptation on plate deformation in an ex vivo model of canine pancarpal arthrodesis

S. Woods
1   Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland
,
R. J. Wallace
2   Edinburgh Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, The University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, Scotland
,
J. R. Mosley
1   Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland
› Author Affiliations The hybrid pancarpal arthrodesis plates used in this study were a gift from Mr. John Lapish, Veterinary Instrumentation, Sheffield, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received 04 January 2012

Accepted 31 May 2012

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: Since external coaptation is applied clinically to prevent plate failure during healing in canine pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA), we tested the hypothesis that external coaptation does not significantly reduce plate strain in an experimental ex vivo model of canine PCA.

Methods: Ten thoracic limbs from healthy Greyhounds euthanatized for reasons un- related to the study were harvested and the carpus was stabilised with a dorsally applied 2.7/3.5 mm hybrid PCA plate. The strain in the plate adjacent to the most distal radial screw hole (R4) and the radial carpal bone (RCB) screw hole was measured as the limbs were loaded axially to a load that approximated that of controlled walking. Each limb was tested with and without external coaptation in place.

Results: Mean strain amplitude at the RCB was –177.2 με (± 20.78) without external coaptation. Following cast application, strain reduced significantly to –34.7 με (± 9.84) (p <0.002). Mean strain at R4 was –89.4 με (± 22.10) without external support and –66.9 με (± 10.74) following application of a cast. This reduction in recorded strain was not statistically significant.

Clinical significance: The application of a cast to the distal portion of the limb significantly reduced strain in the 2.7/3.5 mm hybrid PCA plate, but the magnitude of the measured strain was low, suggesting that fatigue damage is unlikely to accumulate as a result of this type of loading and that external coaptation may not be necessary to prevent fatigue failure of the plate.

Keywords

Pancarpal arthrodesis - hybrid plate - strain - external coaptation - implant failure
 

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