An in vitro biomechanical comparison between bone plate and interlocking nail

A. Bernardé; A. Diop; N. Maurel; E. Viguier

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632715

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2002; 15(02): 57-66
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632715

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

An in vitro biomechanical comparison between bone plate and interlocking nail

3-D interfragmentary motion and bone strain analysis in ostectomized canine femurs

A. Bernardé

¹Clinique Vétérinaire des Quais, Blois, France

²Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France

,

A. Diop

³laboratoire de Biomécanique, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers, Paris, France

,

N. Maurel

³laboratoire de Biomécanique, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers, Paris, France

,

E. Viguier

²Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

In order to compare the interfragmentary motion and bone strains in ostectomized canine femurs, stabilized with either an 8 mm interlocking nail system (IN) or a 10-hole 3.5 mm dynamic compression broad plate (DCP), ten pairs of adult canine femurs with a 25 mm mid-diaphyseal gap were used. The left femurs were implanted with a DCP and eight bi-cortical screws, and the right femurs were implanted with an IN and three screws. Eccentric axial loading and cranio-caudal bending were successively performed on every specimen. Employing an opto-electronic device, interfragmentary (axial, transverse and rotational) motion was measured during non-destructive tests. Bone strains were measured at three elective sites, with strain gauges in four pairs of the specimen. The mean values of axial and transverse motion were compared using a paired t-test within each group (P <0.05). Strain values were compared using a numerical scale and a qualitative analysis. Transverse motion was higher with DCP, whereas axial motion was higher with IN. Bone strain analysis demonstrated lower “stress protection” near the gap with IN. Those comparative results are interpretative: IN may be an interesting alternative implant for unstable diaphyseal femoral fracture repair in dogs.

Keywords

Biomechanics - in vitro testing - canine femur - interlocking nail - plate - interfragmentary motion - bone strain

Full Text

References

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