Summary
An in vitro mechanical study was performed to compare the fatigue properties and the loads to
failure of four plate designs that are used to stabilise the tibial plateau levelling
osteotomy (TPLO). Seventy-two gapped osteotomy models were created using 3.5 mm versions
of the following plates: a standard TPLO plate, a low profile TPLO plate, a locking
TPLO plate (LocP), and a broad locking TPLO plate (bLocP). The 18 constructs for each
plate design were sub-divided into three identical groups of six. Six constructs were
mounted in a materials testing device and subjected to cyclic compressive loading
until failure was observed or one-million cycles were achieved. Additionally, six
constructs of each plate design were tested in compressive axial loading and six others
in four-point bending in a load-to-failure manner. To provide residual strength comparisons,
the six constructs undergoing cyclic fatigue compression testing were also tested
in axial compressive loading. There were not any significant differences in stiffness
between plates tested in axial compressive loading. However, mean loads at failure
were higher for the LocP and bLocP constructs. The bLocP had a significantly higher
mean stiffness and mean load at failure compared to the other constructs tested in
fourpoint bending.
Keywords
TPLO - cranial cruciate ligament - biomechanics - plate