Effect of pin hole size and number on in vitro bone strength in the equine radius loaded in torsion.
Abstract: To determine the effect of pin hole size and number on the breaking strength of the adult equine radius when loaded in torsion to failure. Methods: 54 pairs of equine radii from adult horses. Methods: For test one, 12 pairs of radii were used to determine the effect of pin hole size on torsional breaking strength. A 6.35-mm hole was drilled in 1 radius, and a 9.5-mm hole was drilled in the contralateral radius. For test two, 36 pairs of radii were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (n = 12) to determine the effect of pin hole number on the torsional breaking strength of the equine radius. One radius of each pair served as a control, and one, three, or six 6.35-mm transcortical holes were drilled in the contralateral radius. For test three, 6 pairs of radii had torsional forces applied directly to the transfixation pins, as opposed to the bone itself. One radius of a pair served as a control, and three 6.35-mm smooth Steinman pins were placed in the contralateral radius. All radii were loaded in torsion to failure, and the breaking strengths were recorded. Results: Compared with the 6.35-mm hole, the 9.5-mm hole significantly decreased torsional strength of the radius. There was no significant difference in mean torsional strength between the control radii and the radii with 1, 3, or 6 transcortical holes or when the transfixation pins were loaded. Conclusions: Use of up to three 6.35-mm transfixation pins can be used in a full-limb transfixation pin cast to optimize stiffness without a significant decrease (12%) in bone strength.
Publication Date: 1998-03-11 PubMed ID: 9492937
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates how the size and number of orthopedic pin holes can impact the torsional strength of a horse’s radius bone. The study found that a proportionate increase in the size of the hole or pin significantly reduced the bone’s strength. However, the number of pin holes had no significant effect on the bone’s strength.
Methodology
- The experiment involved 54 sets of horse radii from adult horses, divided into three tests.
- Test one examined the effect of pin hole size on torsional breaking strength. 12 pairs of radii had a 6.35-mm hole drilled into one radius and a 9.5-mm hole drilled into its pair.
- Test two assessed the impact of the number of pin holes on the bone’s torsional strength. 36 pairs of radii were randomly grouped to have one, three or six 6.35-mm holes drilled into them.
- Finally, test three applied torsional forces directly to the transfixation pins in 6 pairs of radii, rather than the bone. Three 6.35-mm smooth Steinman pins were placed in the contralateral radius of every set.
- The contralateral radius in all tests served as a control, allowing for comparison. All radii were subjected to torsional forces until they broke, recording the breaking strengths.
Results
- The study found that compared to the 6.35-mm hole, a larger 9.5-mm hole notably decreased the radii’s torsional strength. This indicates that a larger hole weakens the bone’s resistance to twisting forces.
- However, there was no significant difference found in torsional strength between control bones and those with one, three or six holes. The number of holes, therefore, did not seem to impact the strength of the radius dramatically, provided they were all 6.35-mm in diameter.
- In the tests where the transfixation pins were directly subjected to the torsional force, no notable strength difference was observed.
Conclusions
- Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that up to three 6.35-mm transfixation pins can be used in a full-limb transfixation pin cast without causing a significant decrease (12%) in bone strength. This suggests that in orthopedic procedures on equine radii, up to three 6.35-mm pin holes can be used to ensure optimal stiffness without significantly weakening the bone.
Cite This Article
APA
Hopper SA, Schneider RK, Ratzlaff MH, White KK, Johnson CH.
(1998).
Effect of pin hole size and number on in vitro bone strength in the equine radius loaded in torsion.
Am J Vet Res, 59(2), 201-204.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Nails / veterinary
- Equipment Design
- Horses / physiology
- Radius / physiology
- Stress, Mechanical
- Torsion Abnormality
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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.
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