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Mechanical comparison of materials used for extra‐capsular stabilisation of the stifle joint in dogs
Author(s) -
LEWIS DD,
MILTHORPE BK,
BELLENGER CR
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1997.tb11260.x
Subject(s) - cruciate ligament , stifle joint , fibrous joint , materials science , polyester , ethylene oxide , ligament , ultimate tensile strength , cadaver , composite material , medicine , anterior cruciate ligament , surgery , polymer , copolymer
Objective The mechanical properties of three materials (No. 2 polypropylene, No. 5 polybutilate‐coated multifilament polyester and 18, 27 and 36 kg test monofilament nylon leader material) commonly used for extra‐capsular stabilisation of the stifle in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency were determined. The ability of No. 5 polybutilate‐coated multifilament polyester and 36 kg test monofilament nylon leader material, when placed as extra‐capsular sutures, to mitigate cranial drawer was evaluated in hindlimbs of cadavers. Design An in vitro mechanical study. Animals Seven pairs of hindlimbs harvested from adult greyhound dogs recently euthanased for other reasons. Procedure Samples of each material, including samples of 27 kg test leader material that had been sterilised by one of three methods (ethylene oxide, one or five cycles in an autoclave), were loaded to determine tensile and stress relaxation properties. The effect of cyclic loading on a No. 5 polybutilate‐coated multifilament polyester and 36 kg test leader material was also determined. Using the harvested hindlimbs, cranial drawer was measured before and after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and on the first and twelfth cycle following extra‐capsular stabilisation with either No. 5 polybu‐tilate‐coated multifilament suture or 36 kg test leader material. Results Leader material was found to have the most suitable mechanical characteristics for use as extracapsular stabilisation of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. Of the sterilisation methods, ethylene oxide was found to have the least detrimental effects on the handling and material characteristics of the leader material. Stifles stabilised with 36 kg test leader material had significantly less drawer than those stabilised with No. 5 polybutilate‐coated multifilament polyester suture. Clinical implications Monofilament nylon leader material would appear to have suitable mechanical properties for extra‐capsular stabilisation of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. If possible the material should be sterilised using ethylene oxide.