title: An in vitro biomechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: two parallel transarticular headless tapered variable pitch screws versus two parallel transarticular AO cortical bone screws inserted in lag fashion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the mean number of cycles to failure under axial compression of equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis constructs created by 2 parallel transarticular Acutrak Plus screws (AP-TS) or 2 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (AO-TLS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods of stabilizing cadaveric adult equine forelimb PIP joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=5 pairs).
  
  
  METHODS
  For each forelimb pair, 1 PIP joint was stabilized with AP-TS and 1 with AP-TLS. The 5 construct pairs were tested for cyclic fatigue under axial compression. Mean number of cycles to failure for each fixation method were compared by a paired t-test within each group with statistical significance set at P<.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of cycles to failure under axial compression for AO-TLS fixation and AP-TS fixation were 57,723±8488 and 35,322±4698, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AO-TLS was superior to the AP-TS in resisting cyclic fatigue under axial compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Timm
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gudehus
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sod
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Riggs
authors.forename: Colin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D005552:Forelimb / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000601:surgery*