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An in vitro biomechanical comparison of a prototype equine metacarpal dynamic compression plate fixation with double
Gary A Sod1, Jeremy D Hubert, George S Martin
1From the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. gsod@vetmed.lsu.edu
Objectives:
To compare the monotonic biomechanical properties of a prototype equine third metacarpal dynamic compression plate (EM-DCP) fixation with a double broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones.
Study Design:
In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation.
Population:
Twelve pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones.
Methods:
Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure testing, (2) 4-point bending cyclic fatigue testing, and (3) torsional testing. The EM-DCP (10-hole, 4.5 mm) was applied to the dorsal surface of one randomly selected bone from each pair. Two DCPs, 1 dorsally (10-hole, 4.5 mm broad) and 1 laterally (9-hole, 4.5 mm broad) were applied to the contralateral bone from each pair. All plates and screws were applied using standard AO/ASIF techniques to MC3 bones that had mid-diaphyseal osteotomies. Mean test variable values for each method were compared using a paired t-test within each group. Significance was set at P<.05.
Results:
Mean 4-point bending yield load, yield bending moment, bending composite rigidity, failure load and failure bending moment of the EM-DCP fixation were significantly greater (P<.0001) than those of the double broad DCP fixation. Mean cycles to failure in 4-point bending of the EM-DCP fixation was significantly greater (P<.0008) than that of the double broad DCP fixation. Mean yield load, composite rigidity, and failure load in torsion of the EM-DCP fixation were significantly greater (P<.0035) than that of the double broad DCP fixation.
Conclusion:
The EM-DCP provides increased stability in both static overload testing and cyclic fatigue testing.
Clinical Relevance:
Results of this in vitro study support the conclusion that the prototype EM-DCP fixation is biomechanically superior to the double broad DCP fixation for the stabilization of osteotomized equine MC3.
