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Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 51(4); 576-591; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13797

Influence of screw head diameter on ex vivo fixation of equine lateral condylar fractures with 5.5 mm cortical screws.

Abstract: To determine the influence of screw head diameter on equine condylar fracture fixation with 5.5 mm cortical screws. Methods: Ex vivo, biomechanical study, blinded, matched-pair design. Methods: Fifteen pairs of equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: Lateral condylar fractures were simulated by parasagittal osteotomies and repaired pairwise by 2 × 5.5 mm cortical screws of 8 mm (standard) or 10 mm (modified) head diameter. Interfragmentary compression at maximum screw insertion torque was measured. The instrumented specimens were pairwise stratified for biomechanical testing under the following modalities (n = 5): (1) screw insertion torque to failure, (2) quasi-static axial load to failure, and (3) cyclic axial load to 2 mm displacement followed by failure. Tests (1) and (2) were analyzed for yield, maximum, and failure torque/angle and load/displacement, respectively. Number of cycles to 2 mm displacement and failure was assessed from test (3). Results: Maximum insertion torque was greater, and failure angle smaller, when constructs repaired with modified screws were tested (8.1 ± 0.5 vs. 7.4 ± 0.5 Nm; P = .0047 and 550 ± 104 vs. 1130 ± 230; P = .008). Axial yield (7118 ± 707 vs. 5740 ± 2267 N; P = .043) and failure load (12 347 ± 3359 vs. 8695 ± 2277 N; P = .043) were greater for specimens repaired with modified screws. No difference was detected between constructs in the number of cycles to 2 mm displacement. Conclusions: Condylar MC3 osteotomies repaired with modified 5.5 mm cortical screws sustained greater maximal hand torque insertion, smaller insertion failure angle and 1.4 fold greater quasi-static failure forces than constructs repaired with standard 5.5 mm screws. Conclusions: Use of modified screws with larger heads may improve the fixation of condylar fractures in horses. These results provide evidence to justify clinical evaluation in horses undergoing fracture repair.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-18 PubMed ID: 35302250DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13797Google 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 research article investigates the effect of screw head diameter on the fixation of equine lateral condylar fractures with 5.5mm cortical screws. Findings suggest that using screws with larger heads improves the fracture fixation, potentially enhancing horses’ recovery from such fractures.

Research Methodology

  • The research study used fifteen pairs of third metacarpal bones (MC3) from horses. The study applied a biomechanical, blinded, and matched-pair design.
  • Simulated fractures were created on the lateral condyle of the bones through parasagittal osteotomies. These fractures were then repaired in pairs using two 5.5mm cortical screws, with either 8mm (standard) or 10mm (modified) head diameter.
  • Each pair was subjected to various biomechanical tests, including (1) the measurement of interfragmentary compression at maximum screw insertion torque, (2) screw insertion torque to failure, (3) quasi-static axial load to failure, and (4) cyclic axial load to a 2mm displacement followed by failure.

Results

  • The maximum insertion torque was found to be higher when the modified screws were used. In addition, the failure angle was smaller for the same constructs.
  • Comparatively, constructs repaired with modified screws withstood a greater axial yield and failure load than those repaired with the standard screws.
  • No significant difference was observed between the constructs regarding the number of cycles to reach a 2mm displacement.

Conclusions

  • Based on the results, it is apparent that equine MC3 osteotomies repaired with modified 5.5mm cortical screws with larger heads (10mm) demonstrated more resistance to fracture forces compared to those fixed using standard 5.5mm screws.
  • The use of modified screws may enhance the fixation of condylar fractures in horses, potentially resulting in improved recovery outcomes.
  • These results provide compelling arguments for further clinical evaluation, particular in equines undergoing fracture repair.

Cite This Article

APA
Constant C, Zderic I, Arens D, Pugliese B, Gehweiler D, Gueorguiev-Rüegg B, Zeiter S. (2022). Influence of screw head diameter on ex vivo fixation of equine lateral condylar fractures with 5.5 mm cortical screws. Vet Surg, 51(4), 576-591. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13797

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 4
Pages: 576-591

Researcher Affiliations

Constant, Caroline
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Zderic, Ivan
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Arens, Daniel
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Pugliese, Brenna
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Gehweiler, Dominic
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Gueorguiev-Rüegg, Boyko
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.
Zeiter, Stephan
  • AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Screws / veterinary
  • Cadaver
  • Fracture Fixation / veterinary
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses / surgery
  • Torque

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Brabon A, Hughes KJ, Labens R. Comparison of interfragmentary compression across simulated condylar fractures repaired using four techniques. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1233921.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1233921pubmed: 37808116google scholar: lookup
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