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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2749-6666
Original Research

Effect of Plate–Bone Distance and Screw Number on 2.0-mm Locking Construct Torsional Stiffness and Plate Strain in a Diaphyseal Fracture Gap Model

Autoren

  • Alecia Evans

    1   The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia

  • Mark Glyde 

    1   The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia

  • Giselle Hosgood

    1   The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia

  • Rob Day

    2   Health Technology Management Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia

Funding Information Implants used in this study were funded by a materials grant from Zebravet Australia.
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Abstract

Objective

To determine the effect of plate–bone distance and screw number on 2.0-mm locking compression plate (LCP) torsional stiffness and plate strain for a fixed working length in a diaphyseal fracture gap model.

Study Design

In vitro biomechanical study.

Methods

The LCP was tested with nine different combinations of plate–bone distance (PBD) (1, 1.5, and 3 mm) and screw number (SN) (two, three, or four screws per fragment) across the same working length. Six replicates per group were tested. Constructs were subjected to quasi-static, non-destructive torsion producing overall construct stiffness data (Nm/degree). Plate surface strain data were recorded from three-dimensional digital image correlation during testing for all constructs.

Results

A greater PBD and a low SN resulted in lower construct stiffness (p = 0.015, and P > 0.0001, respectively) in torsion. Across all PBD, there was significantly less stiffness for constructs with two screws per fragment, compared with three screws or four screws. No significant difference was detected in plate strain for any combination of PBD and SN.

Conclusion

In this model, incrementally increasing the PBD and decreasing the SN resulted in less construct stiffness in torsion, with marked reduction in torsional stiffness in constructs with two screws per fragment compared with three or four screws per fragment.

Keywords

biomechanics - fracture repair - locking plates - screw number - plate–bone distance

Contributors' Statement

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




Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 13. April 2025

Angenommen: 17. November 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
01. Dezember 2025

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