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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2738-5771
Original Research

The In Vitro Biomechanics of Locking Plates Used in a Supercutaneous Fashion Compared to a Type Ia External Skeletal Fixator

Autoren

  • Ashley Proctor

    1   Department of Clinical Studies, The Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

  • Melissa MacIver

    1   Department of Clinical Studies, The Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

  • Noel Moens

    1   Department of Clinical Studies, The Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

  • John Runciman

    2   School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

  • Scott Brandon

    2   School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

  • Gabrielle Monteith

    1   Department of Clinical Studies, The Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Funding Information Funding for this research was provided by the Ontario Veterinary College PetTrust Fund. The research funder had no additional involvement in research design or manuscript preparation.
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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the biomechanics of a supercutaneously placed String of Pearls plate (SOP) and supercutaneously placed locking compression plate (LCP) to be used in lieu of a type Ia external fixator.

Study Design

Nine surrogate constructs of 3.5 mm SOP, 3.5 mm LCP and type Ia external fixator offset 20 mm from the cortex over a 10-mm fracture gap were tested in non-destructive loading to 200 N and then tested in load to 100% displacement.

Results

Maximum displacement was used to calculate median maximum displacement in non-destructive axial compression testing for the SOP, LCP and external fixator, measuring 8.5 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 8.23–8.95), 10.3 mm (IQR 9.99–10.40) and 1.2 mm (IQR 1.17–1.31), respectively. There was a difference between the external fixator to LCP (p = 0.0050), external fixator to SOP (p = 0.0050) and LCP to SOP (p = 0.0050). Maximum load was used in compression to 100% displacement to calculate the median maximum load. The SOP, LCP and external fixator, withstood median loads to 100% displacement of 244 N (IQR 231.83–257.19), 168 N (IQR 165.07–170.86) and 766 N (IQR 688.14–784.29), respectively. There was a difference between external fixator to SOP (p = 0.0047), external fixator to LCP (p ≤ 0.001) and LCP to SOP (p = 0.0024).

Conclusion

The type Ia external fixator is significantly stiffer compared with the supercutaneous 3.5 mm SOP and 3.5 mm LCP. Given the low stiffness and high displacement, supercutaneously placed locking plates may be unsuitable for clinical fracture repair in a 20-kg dog with an expected axial load of 200 N.

Keywords

biomechanics - fracture repair - supercutaneous - external fixator

Contributors' Statement

A.P. contributed to the design of the study, compiled the data, analysed the data for statistical significance, interpreted the data, and drafted and revised the manuscript. M.M. was the primary advisor, developed the study idea, developed the design of the study, assisted with data interpretation, and provided scientific and in-line editing of the manuscript. N.M. contributed to the design of the study and provided scientific and in-line editing of the manuscript. J.R. contributed to the design of the study, instrumentation and experimental design. S.B. provided scientific and in-line editing of the manuscript. G.M. provided statistical analysis and in-line editing of the manuscript. All authors provided a critical review of the manuscript and endorse the final version. All authors are aware of their respective contributions and have confidence in the integrity of all contributions.


Supplementary Material



Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 02. April 2025

Angenommen: 04. November 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
02. Dezember 2025

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