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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(03): 119-126
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1791701
Original Research

Effect of Plate Screw Configuration on Construct Stiffness and Plate Strain in a Synthetic Short Fragment Small Gap Fracture Model Stabilized with a 12-Hole 3.5-mm Locking Compression Plate

Fabian N. Trefny
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
,
Mark R. Glyde 
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
,
Giselle L. Hosgood
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
,
Robert E. Day
2   Health Technology Management Unit, East Metropolitan Health Service, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
,
Alex Hayes
2   Health Technology Management Unit, East Metropolitan Health Service, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Funding The authors received partial financial support for the implants from DePuy Synthes.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a short and long working length screw configuration on construct stiffness and plate strain in a synthetic, short fragment, small gap fracture model stabilized with a 12-hole 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP).

Study Design Six replicates of short and long working length constructs on a short fragment, small gap fracture model underwent four-point bending. Construct stiffness and plate strain were compared across working length and along the plate.

Results With the LCP on the compression surface (compression bending), the short working length had a significantly higher construct stiffness and lower plate strain than the long working length. Conversely, with the LCP on the tension surface (tension bending), transcortical contact between 150 and 155 N induced load sharing at the fracture gap, which significantly increased construct stiffness and decreased plate strain in the long working length. At 100 N (precontact), the short working length had a significantly higher construct stiffness and lower plate strain than the long working length, comparable with our compressing bending results.

Conclusion In compression bending, and before transcortical contact occurred in tension bending, the short working length had a significantly higher construct stiffness and lower plate strain than the long working length. Load sharing due to transcortical contact observed in our model in tension bending will vary with fracture gap, working length, and loading condition. These results must be interpreted with caution when considering clinical relevance or potential in vivo biomechanical advantages.

Keywords

working length - construct stiffness - strain - locking compression plate

Note

An abstract of this paper was presented at the annual European College of Veterinary Surgeons Congress, July 6, 2019, Budapest, Hungary. Results from this study were also presented at the AO Vet Symposium, Bridging the Gap: Translating Clinical Research to Clinical Practice, presented November 23, 2020, via Webinar.


Authors' Contribution

All the authors contributed to the conception and design of this study. F.N.T., M.R.G., R.E.D., and A.H. were involved with data acquisition and materials testing. R.E.D. and A.H. provided technical support with material testing. G.L.H. contributed to acquisition of data and data analysis. All the authors contributed to data interpretation and revision of the submitted manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 01 May 2024

Accepted: 14 September 2024

Article published online:
04 October 2024

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