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Veterinary surgery : VS2025; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14287

An ex vivo comparison of mono-versus polyaxial locking compression plates for metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis in the horse.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine if a novel arthrodesis technique for the equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint using a human non-contact bridging (NCB), polyaxial locking compression plate system has biomechanical and potential clinical advantages versus a traditional 5.5 mm stainless steel locking compression plate (LCP) under biomechanical testing. Methods: An ex vivo biomechanical equine cadaver study. Methods: A total of 11 MCP joints collected from adult Thoroughbred horses euthanized unrelated to musculoskeletal disease. Methods: Each pair of MCP joints were randomly implanted with either an A LCP or NCB plate. Each construct was tested in cyclic loading followed by single cycle to failure in axial compression. Displacement at a target load of 1 kN over 3600 cycles at 1 Hz was recorded prior to single cycle to failure testing. Results: In cyclic testing, overall displacement recorded in constructs with the NCB plates was less than that of the LCP constructs with a mean (least square mean - LSM) difference of 0.33 mm (p = .03). There was no difference between groups in single cycle testing for yield point (p = .55) and maximum load at failure (p = .95). Conclusions: While a significant difference was found between constructs during cyclic testing, LCP versus NCB constructs conferred no difference in stability in single cycle to failure testing. Conclusions: The increased stability of the NCB plate in cyclic loading, comparable failure strength to the LCP and versatility of polyaxial screws support further investigation for possible clinical use of the NCB plate for equine fetlock arthrodesis.
© 2025 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-02 PubMed ID: 40457615DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14287Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study compared two techniques for equine metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis – a novel technique using a bridging polyaxial locking compression plate system versus a classic method using stainless steel locking compression plates. The goal was to find potential biomechanical and clinical advantages. The novel technique demonstrated increased stability under certain testing conditions.

Research Methodology

  • The team carried out an ex vivo experiment (outside a living organism) using equine cadavers.
  • The MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joints were sourced from adult Thoroughbred horses euthanized for reasons other than musculoskeletal diseases.
  • A total of 11 MCP joints were used in this study. Each pair was randomly assigned to one of the two plate systems: the traditional stainless steel Locking Compression Plate (LCP) or the novel Non-Contact Bridging (NCB) plate.
  • The biomechanical testing involved a cyclic loading test followed by a single cycle to failure in axial compression, measuring displacement at a target load of 1 kN over 3600 cycles at 1 Hz.

Research Results

  • In cyclic testing, the constructs with NCB plates showed overall lower displacement levels than those with LCP plates with a mean difference of 0.33 mm, showing that the NCB plates provided greater stability.
  • However, when tested for the yield point (the point when the material is no longer able to withstand the load) and maximum load failure- the study found no significant difference between the LCP and NCB constructs.

Conclusions

  • Even though significant differences were observed during the cyclic testing phase, the two systems didn’t show any difference in stability in single cycle to failure testing.
  • The NCB plate demonstrated increased stability in a cyclic load scenario and showed similar strength to the traditional LCP under the test scenario, encouraging further investigations for its potential clinical use for equine fetlock arthrodesis.

Cite This Article

APA
Kadic LIM, Liu CC, Leise BS, McCauley CT, Riggs LM. (2025). An ex vivo comparison of mono-versus polyaxial locking compression plates for metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis in the horse. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14287

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Kadic, Lawrence I M
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Liu, Chin-Chi
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
Leise, Britta S
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
McCauley, Charles T
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
Riggs, Laura M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

Grant Funding

  • LSU-SVM PG008194 / Charles V. Cusimano Equine Health Studies Program Grant
  • LSU-SVM PG009131 / Veterinary Clinical Sciences Competitive Research Program Grant

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This article includes 17 references
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