title: Mechanical testing of a modified stabilisation method for tibial tuberosity advancement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This in vitro study evaluated three modified techniques of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). Loads to failure were calculated for each technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 9 mm TTA procedure was performed in the tibiae of dogs weighing between 32 and 38 kg. In group 1 (n = 12), the distal part of the tibial crest was left attached to the tibia by the cranial cortex, and a figure-of-eight wire was added for stabilisation. In group 2 (n = 12), the tibial crest was left attached but no additional device was used for stabilisation. In group 3 (n = 12), the tibial crest was completely separated from the tibia and fixed by a figure-of-eight wire so that, in this group, only the wire opposed avulsion of the tibial crest. Unidirectional axial force was applied via the patella to determine the maximal load to failure of the model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2. These two groups both had a significantly stronger construct than that of group 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We described modifications to the TTA procedure without plate fixation that warrant clinical investigation. When the crest is broken during its advancement, the tension sustained by the repair is significantly weaker from a biomechanical point of view and the use of such a repair clinically is not recommended by the authors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Belgium. sebetche@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Etchepareborde
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barthelemy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pascon
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ragetly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balligand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs; D005065:Euthanasia; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013264:Stifle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing