Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22(02): 132-136
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-08-03-0030
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

The effect of bending and twisting on the stiffness and strength of the 3.5 SOP implant

M. G. Ness
1   Croft Veterinary Hospital, Blyth, Northumberland, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 31 March 2008

Accepted 01 March 2008

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Locking plates are becoming increasingly popular in veterinary orthopaedics. The SOP is a novel locking plate system, which can be contoured with 6° of freedom and which utilises standard bone screws. The purpose of this work was to investigate the mechanical consequences of contouring the 3.5 SOP plate to support the formulation of clinical guidelines. The implants were loaded in four point bending using an industry standard protocol. The uncontoured SOP was found to be significantly stiffer and stronger than the uncontoured 3.5 DCP. Bending, and to a lesser extent, twisting, diminished the SOP’s stiffness and strength but the contoured SOP remained at least as stiff and strong as the untouched DCP.