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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2024; 37(01): 001-007
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771198
Original Research

Effect of Plate–Bone Distance and Working Length on 2.0-mm Locking Construct Stiffness and Plate Strain in a Diaphyseal Fracture Gap Model: A Biomechanical Study

Alecia Evans
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
,
Mark Glyde
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
,
Rob Day
2   Department of Medical Engineering and Physics, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
,
Giselle Hosgood
1   School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
› Author Affiliations Funding Implants used in this study were funded by a materials grant from Zebravet Australia.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of plate–bone distance (PBD) and working length on 2.0-mm locking compression plate (LCP) stiffness and strain in four-point bending and torsion in a diaphyseal fracture gap model.

Study Design A total of 54 LCP with three screws per fragment were assigned to one of nine combinations of working length (WL; short, medium, and long), and PBD (1, 1.5, and 3 mm) for a sample size of six per construct configuration. Stiffness was measured under quasistatic, nondestructive four-point compression bending and torsion. Plate surface strain was recorded using three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation during four-point compression bending.

Results WL had a significant effect on overall construct stiffness in both compression bending and in torsion, with shorter WL constructs having higher stiffness (p < 0.0001). PBD had no effect on construct stiffness in compression bending; however, a significant reduction in stiffness was noted in torsion (p = 0.047) as PBD incrementally increased. WL had a significant effect on plate strain in compression bending, with shorter WL constructs having lower plate strain (p < 0.0001). PBD had no effect on plate strain in compression bending except for lower plate strain recorded in long WL constructs with 1-mm PBD, compared with 1.5- and 3-mm PBD constructs (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion Longer WL constructs, regardless of PBD, had lower stiffness in compression bending, while in torsion, some modulation of this effect was noted with incremental decreases in PBD. Longer WL resulted in high plate strain, regardless of PBD.

Keywords

biomechanics - working length - plate–bone distance - stiffness - strain

Authors' Contribution

A.E. and M.G. contributed to conception of the study, study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript preparation and review. R.D. contributed to study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript preparation and review. G.H. contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation and review. All the authors revised and approved the submitted manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 16 March 2023

Accepted: 09 June 2023

Article published online:
20 July 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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