Assessment of stiffness and strength of 4 different implants available for equine fracture treatment: a study on a 20 degrees oblique long-bone fracture model using a bone substitute.
Abstract: To compare the mechanical properties of 4 stabilization methods for equine long-bone fractures: dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF--formerly VetFix). Methods: In vitro mechanical study. Methods: Bone substitute material (24 tubes) was cut at 20 degrees to the long axis of the tube to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture. Methods: Tubes were divided into 4 groups (n=6) and double plated in an orthogonal configuration, with 1 screw of 1 implant being inserted in lag fashion through the "fracture". Thus, the groups were: (1) 2 DCP implants (4.5, broad, 10 holes); (2) 2 LC-DCP implants (5.5, broad, 10 holes); (3) 2 LCP implants (4.5/5.0, broad, 10 holes) and 4 head locking screws/plate; and (4) 2 CRIF (4.5/5.0) and 10 clamps in alternating position left and right of the rod. All constructs were tested in 4-point bending with a quasi-static load until failure. The implant with the interfragmentary screw was always positioned on the tension side of the construct. Force, displacement, and angular displacement at the "fracture" line were determined. Construct stiffness under low and high loads, yield strength, ultimate strength, and maximum angular displacement were determined. Results: None of the implants failed; the strength of the bone substitute was the limiting factor. At low loads, no differences in stiffness were found among groups, but LCP constructs were stiffer than other constructs under high loads (P=.004). Ultimate strength was lowest in the LCP group (P=.01), whereas yield strength was highest for LCP constructs (409 N m, P=.004). CRIF had the lowest yield strength (117 N m, P=.004); no differences in yield strength (250 N m) were found between DCP and LC-DCP constructs. Differences were found for maximum angular displacement at the "fracture" line, between groups: LPC<DCP<LC-DCP<CRIF (P< or =.037). Conclusions: DCP, LC-DCP, and LCP constructs provided sufficient biomechanical stability to withstand single-cycle loads that might be experienced postoperatively. LCP constructs showed the best performance because of the highest yield strength, above which irreversible deformation occurred. Inadequate biomechanical properties, excessive motion, and shape of the device create concern about the use of CRIF in these large sizes. Conclusions: CRIF does not meet the demands for equine long-bone fracture treatment. With respect to biomechanical properties, DCP, LC-DCP, and LCP constructs did not show critical differences so other factors may direct clinical selection of these implants. We prefer the LCP implants because of the high yield strength, high stiffness under high-load application, and the least movement at the fracture line.
Publication Date: 2005-08-24 PubMed ID: 16115079DOI: 10.1111/j.1532.950X.2005.00035.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 research paper discusses a comparative study on the mechanical properties of four different stabilization methods used for treating fractures in equine long-bones. These methods include dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF). The study revealed that of all the tested methods, the locking compression plate (LCP) constructs exhibit the best performance due to their highest yield strength among the four methods.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted an in vitro mechanical study using bone substitute material (24 tubes). These tubes were cut at a 20-degree angle along the length to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture.
- These tubes were then divided into four different groups, with each group allotted to a specific treatment method. Each group contained six test pieces.
- All constructs were subjected to a quasi-static load under four-point bending until they failed. The force, displacement, and the angular displacement at the fracture line of each construct were measured.
Research Results
- None of the implants failed during the test. The bone substitute’s strength was found to be the constraining factor for all the tests.
- Under low loads, no significant differences in stiffness were discerned among the groups. However, the LCP constructs demonstrated higher stiffness under heavy loads compared to the other constructs.
- Although the LCP constructs had the lowest ultimate strength, they possessed the highest yield strength (the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically), hence proving more efficient.
- The CRIF constructs were found to have the lowest yield strength and demonstrated excessive motion and inadequate biomechanical properties, raising concerns about their use in large sizes.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that the DCP, LC-DCP, and LCP constructs provide sufficient biomechanical stability to withstand postoperative single-cycle loads.
- LCP constructs were preferred for their high yield strength, high stiffness under heavy-load application, and minimal movement at the fracture line.
- The study also suggested reservations about the use of CRIF for treating equine long-bone fractures due to its poor mechanical performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Florin M, Arzdorf M, Linke B, Auer JA.
(2005).
Assessment of stiffness and strength of 4 different implants available for equine fracture treatment: a study on a 20 degrees oblique long-bone fracture model using a bone substitute.
Vet Surg, 34(3), 231-238.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532.950X.2005.00035.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- AO Research Institute, Davos, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Bone Plates / veterinary
- Bone Screws / veterinary
- Bone Substitutes
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / surgery
- Tensile Strength
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Kim MS, Yoon DK, Shin SH, Choe BY, Rhie JW, Chung YG, Suh TS. Quantitative Assessment of the Restoration of Original Anatomy after 3D Virtual Reduction of Long Bone Fractures. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Jun 2;12(6).
- Marcondes GM, Paretsis NF, Souza AF, Ruivo MRBA, Rego MAF, Nóbrega FS, Cortopassi SRG, De Zoppa ALDV. Locking compression plate fixation of critical-sized bone defects in sheep. Development of a model for veterinary bone tissue engineering. Acta Cir Bras 2021;36(6):e360601.
- Kang JW, Cha SM, Kim SG, Choi IC, Suh DH, Park JW. Tips and tricks to achieve osteotomy healing and prevent refracture after ulnar shortening osteotomy. J Orthop Surg Res 2021 Feb 4;16(1):110.
- Ribitsch I, Oreff GL, Jenner F. Regenerative Medicine for Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 19;11(1).
- Zhou X, Li J, Yang H, Li D, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Xu N. Comparison of 2 Different Fixation Implants for Operative Treatment of Mid-Shaft Clavicle Fractures: A Retrospective Study. Med Sci Monit 2019 Dec 19;25:9728-9736.
- Zhou JJ, Zhao M, Liu D, Liu HY, Du CF. Biomechanical Property of a Newly Designed Assembly Locking Compression Plate: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis. J Healthc Eng 2017;2017:8590251.
- Qiu WJ, Li YF, Ji YH, Xu W, Zhu XD, Tang XZ, Zhao HL, Wang GB, Jia YQ, Zhu SC, Zhang FF, Liu HM. The comparative risk of developing postoperative complications in patients with distal radius fractures following different treatment modalities. Sci Rep 2015 Nov 9;5:15318.
- Zhao HL, Wang GB, Jia YQ, Zhu SC, Zhang FF, Liu HM. Comparison of Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients with Distal Radius Fractures After 7 Treatments. Med Sci Monit 2015 Sep 22;21:2837-44.
- Rocconi RA, Carmalt JL, Sampson SN, Elder SH, Gilbert EE. Comparison of limited-contact dynamic compression plate and locking compression plate constructs for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in the horse. Can Vet J 2015 Jun;56(6):615-9.
- Xu GH, Liu B, Zhang Q, Wang J, Chen W, Liu YJ, Peng AQ, Zhang YZ. Biomechanical comparison of gourd-shaped LCP versus LCP for fixation of comminuted tibial shaft fracture. J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci 2013 Apr;33(2):250-257.
- Hoerdemann M, Gédet P, Ferguson SJ, Sauter-Louis C, Nuss K. In-vitro comparison of LC-DCP- and LCP-constructs in the femur of newborn calves - a pilot study. BMC Vet Res 2012 Aug 21;8:139.
- Janicek JC, Carson WL, Wilson DA. Development of an in vitro three dimensional loading-measurement system for long bone fixation under multiple loading conditions: a technical description. J Orthop Surg Res 2007 Nov 24;2:21.
- Melly V, Ortved KF, Stewart HL, Stefanovski D, Richardson DW, Bubeck KA, Hogan PM, García-López JM. Plate fixation of small metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures in 27 horses. Vet Surg 2025 Nov;54(8):1537-1548.
- Hoogervorst LA, Oudelaar BW, Broekhuis D. An open comminuted tibia fracture including a 5 cm tibial bone defect in a child: Successful management using a locking compression plate. Trauma Case Rep 2023 Dec;48:100944.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
