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A Biomechanical Comparison of Headless Tapered Variable Pitch Compression and AO Cortical Bone Screws for Fixation of a Simulated Midbody Transverse Fracture of the Proximal Sesamoid Bone in Horses
Author(s) -
Eddy Alison L.,
Galuppo Larry D.,
Stover Susan M.,
Taylor Kenneth T.,
Jensen David G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2004.04037.x
Subject(s) - cadaveric spasm , cadaver , medicine , fixation (population genetics) , sesamoid bone , osteotomy , bone healing , anatomy , biomechanics , orthodontics , forelimb , biomedical engineering , radiography , surgery , population , environmental health
Objective— To compare mechanical properties and failure characteristics of 2 methods of fixation for repair of a transverse, midbody fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB): 4.5‐mm AO cortical bone screw (AO) placed in lag fashion and 4/5‐mm Acutrak® (AT) self‐compressing screw. Study Design— An in vitro biomechanical evaluation of intact forelimb preparations and forelimb preparations with a simulated midbody PSB fracture stabilized by a bone screw. Sample Population— Sixteen paired and 8 unilateral cadaveric equine forelimbs. Methods— A midbody transverse osteotomy was created in the medial PSB of bilateral forelimbs of 8 equine cadavers. The osteotomized PSB in 1 forelimb from each cadaver was repaired with an AO screw. The osteotomized PSB in each contralateral limb was repaired with an AT screw. Eight unilateral intact control limbs were also studied. Mechanical properties were determined from axial compression, single cycle to failure, load–deformation curves. Failure characteristics were determined by evaluation of video images and radiographs. Results— No statistically significant differences were found between repair groups. Both AO and AT groups had significantly lower mechanical properties than intact limbs except for stiffness. Conclusion— AO and AT constructs were mechanically comparable when used to stabilize a simulated midbody fracture of the medial PSB. Both constructs were mechanically inferior to intact limbs. Clinical Relevance— The AT screw should be considered for clinical use because of the potential for less soft tissue impingement and superior biocompatibility compared with the stainless‐steel AO screw. However, postoperative external coaptation is necessary to augment initial fracture stability for either fixation method, and to maintain a standing metacarpophalangeal joint dorsiflexion angle between 150° and 155°.