Ex vivo kinematic studies of a canine unlinked semi-constrained hybrid total elbow arthroplasty system

Summary

Objectives: Introduction of the Sirius^® canine total elbow arthroplasty system, and presentation of the results of a passive range-of-motion analysis based on ex vivo kinematic studies pre-and post-implantation.

Materials and methods: Thoracic limbs (n = 4) of medium sized dogs were harvested by forequarter amputation. Plain orthogonal radiographs of each limb were obtained preand post-implantation. Limbs were prepared by placement of external fixator pins and Kirschner wires into the humerus and radius. Each limb was secured into a custom-made box frame and retro-reflective markers were placed on the exposed ends of the pins and wires. Each elbow was manually moved through five ranges-of-motion manoeuvres. Data collected included six trials of i) full extension to full flexion and ii) pronation and supination in 90° flexion; a three-dimensional motion capture system was used to collect and analyse the data. The Sirius elbow prosthesis was subsequently implanted and the same measurements were repeated. Data sets were tested for normality. Paired t-tests were used for comparison of pre- and post-implantation motion parameters.

Results: Kinematic analysis showed that the range-of-motion (mean and SD) for flexion and extension pre-implantation was 115° ± 6 (range: 25° to 140°). The range-of-motion in the sagittal plane post-implantation was 90° ± 4 (range: 36° to 130°) and this reduction was significant (p = 0.0001). The ranges-of-motion (mean and SD) for supination and pronation at 90° were 50° ± 5, whereas the corresponding mean ranges-of-motion post-implantation were 38° ± 6 (p = 0.0188).

Conclusion: Compared to a normal elbow, the range-of-motion was reduced. Post- implantation, supination and pronation range-of-motion was significantly reduced at 90° over pre-implantation values.

Clinical relevance: These results provide valuable information regarding the effect of the Sirius system on ex vivo kinematics of the normal canine elbow joint. Further, this particular ex vivo model allowed for satisfactory and repeatable kinematic analysis.

Keywords

Elbow - arthroplasty - kinematics - canine - prosthesis

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