Fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures using a lateral plate in 14 dogs supported by finite element analysis of repair.
Fourteen Spaniels that presented with an intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus were managed using a lateral plate and an additional pin in twelve cases. Fixation of the fracture was achieved using a plate applied laterally which incorporated the transcondylar lag screw in the most distal hole. Of the 14 cases, two had poor results, one of which was a bilateral case, whilst the remaining 12 cases had good or very good results with only occasional stiffness or lameness. Finite element (FE) modelling of a distal humerus was generated, and loading of fracture repairs using a lateral plate and caudal plate was completed in a comparative study to determine which fixation method resisted micro-motion most effectively. Finite element analysis revealed that the lateral plate fixation provided significantly more resistance to micro movement at the fracture site that the caudal plate fixation, with 40% more micro-motion in the latter.
Marie Louise Veterinary Hospital, 38 Warrenhouse Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, Republic of Ireland. billymccartney@gmail.com
W T
WT
McCartney
D P
DP
Comiskey
B
B
Mac Donald
C B
CB
Garvan
D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome