title: An in vitro biomechanical investigation of an interlocking nail system developed for buffalo tibia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of the study were to determine the mechanical properties of a customized buffalo interlocking nail (BIN), intact buffalo tibia, and ostectomized tibia stabilized with BIN in different configurations, as well as to assess the convenience of interlocking nailing in buffalo tibia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The BIN (316L stainless steel, 12 mm diameter, 250 mm long, nine-hole solid nails with 10° proximal bend) alone was loaded in compression and three-point bending (n=4 each); intact tibiae and ostectomized tibiae (of buffaloes aged 5-8 years, weighing 300-350 kg) stabilized with BIN using 4.9 mm standard or modified locking bolts (4 or 8) in different configurations were subjected to axial compression, cranio-caudal three-point bending and torsion (n=4 each) using a universal testing machine. Mechanical parameters were determined from load-displacement curves and compared using Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intact tibiae were significantly stronger than BIN and bone-BIN constructs in all testing modes. The strength of fixation constructs with eight locking bolts was significantly more than with four bolts. Overall strength of fixation with modified locking bolts was better than standard bolts. Based on technical ease and biomechanical properties, cranio-caudal insertion of bolts into the bone was found better than medio-lateral insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eight bolt BIN-bone constructs could be useful to treat tibial fractures in large ruminants, especially buffaloes.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Dr. Hari Prasad Aithal, MVSc, PhD, Division of Surgery, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India, Phone: +91 0581 231 5262 or +94 09837 339 436, Fax: +91 0581 230 3284 or +91 0581 230 2179, E-mail: aithal@ivri.res.in or hpaithal@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kinjavdekar
authors.lastname: Amarpal
authors.forename: M M S
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zama
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gope
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pawde
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gugjoo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D002020:Buffaloes; D002102:Cadaver; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Biomechanical study; buffalo tibia; interlocking nail