Stress Changes in the Canine Radius after Locking Plate Fixation Using Finite Element Analysis

 

 Buy Article Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress changes in the radii beneath the locking plates (LP) of dogs implanted with LP using finite element analysis (FEA).

Study Design The study included radii harvested from eight dogs. After computed tomography (CT) scans of the forelimb, the articular surface of the radius was fixed using resin. Material tests were conducted to identify the yield and fracture points and for verification with FEA. The CT data of the radius were imported into FEA software. The radii were classified into three groups based on the placement of the LP (nonplate placement, intact group; 1 mm above the radial surface, LP + 1 mm group; 3 mm above the radial surface, LP + 3 mm group). Equivalent, maximum, and minimum principal stresses and minimum principal strain were measured after FEA at the radial diaphysis beneath the plate.

Results In shell elements, the LP + 1 mm and LP + 3 mm groups showed a significantly lower maximum principal stress compared with the intact group. In solid elements, the LP + 1 mm and LP + 3 mm groups showed a significantly higher equivalent stress and a significantly lower maximum principal stress compared with the intact group.

Conclusion When an axial load is applied to the radius, LP placement reduces the tension stress on the cortical bone of the radius beneath the plate, possibly related to implant-induced osteoporosis and bone formation in the cortical bone beneath the plate.

Authors' Contribution

All the authors contributed to the conception, design, and interpretation of the study, and drafted, revised, and approved the submitted manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 16 August 2023

Accepted: 08 February 2024

Article published online:
06 March 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

• References

• 1 De Arburn Parent R, Benamou J, Gatineau M, Clerfond P, Planté J. Open reduction and cranial bone plate fixation of fractures involving the distal aspect of the radius and ulna in miniature- and toy-breed dogs: 102 cases (2008-2015). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017; 250 (12) 1419-1426
  Google Scholar
• 2 Vallefuoco R, Le Pommellet H, Savin A. et al. Complications of appendicular fracture repair in cats and small dogs using locking compression plates. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29 (01) 46-52
  Google Scholar
• 3 Slätis P, Karaharju E, Holmström T, Ahonen J, Paavolainen P. Structural changes in intact tubular bone after application of rigid plates with and without compression. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1978; 60 (04) 516-522
  Google Scholar
• 4 Muroi N, Shimada M, Murakami S. et al. A retrospective study of postoperative development of implant-induced osteoporosis in radial-ulnar fractures in toy breed dogs treated with plate fixation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2021; 34 (06) 375-385
  Google Scholar
• 5 Field JR. Bone plate fixation: its relationship with implant induced osteoporosis. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10 (02) 88-94
  Google Scholar
• 6 Muroi N, Ochi H, Shimada M, Asou Y, Hara Y. Effects of long-term plate fixation with different fixation modes on the radial cortical bone in dogs. PLoS One 2021; 16 (02) e0247410
  Google Scholar
• 7 Mie K, Ishimoto T, Okamoto M. et al. Impaired bone quality characterized by apatite orientation under stress shielding following fixing of a fracture of the radius with a 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V custom-made bone plate in dogs. PLoS One 2020; 15 (09) e0237678
  Google Scholar
• 8 Greiwe RM, Archdeacon MT. Locking plate technology: current concepts. J Knee Surg 2007; 20 (01) 50-55
  Google Scholar
• 9 Ahmad M, Nanda R, Bajwa AS, Candal-Couto J, Green S, Hui AC. Biomechanical testing of the locking compression plate: when does the distance between bone and implant significantly reduce construct stability?. Injury 2007; 38 (03) 358-364
  Google Scholar
• 10 Fox DB. Radius and ulna. In: Spencer A, Johnston KMT. eds. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult. Vol. 1. 2nd ed.. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2017
  Google Scholar
• 11 Kessler SB, Deiler S, Schiffl-Deiler M, Uhthoff HK, Schweiberer L. Refractures: a consequence of impaired local bone viability. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1992; 111 (02) 96-101
  Google Scholar
• 12 Uhthoff HK, Boisvert D, Finnegan M. Cortical porosis under plates. Reaction to unloading or to necrosis?. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1994; 76 (10) 1507-1512
  Google Scholar
• 13 Higuchi M, Katayama M. Clinical outcomes of orthogonal plating to treat radial and ulnar fractures in toy-breed dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2021; 62 (11) 1001-1006
  Google Scholar
• 14 Lujan TJ, Henderson CE, Madey SM, Fitzpatrick DC, Marsh JL, Bottlang M. Locked plating of distal femur fractures leads to inconsistent and asymmetric callus formation. J Orthop Trauma 2010; 24 (03) 156-162
  Google Scholar
• 15 Bottlang M, Lesser M, Koerber J. et al. Far cortical locking can improve healing of fractures stabilized with locking plates. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010; 92 (07) 1652-1660
  Google Scholar
• 16 Stoffel K, Dieter U, Stachowiak G, Gächter A, Kuster MS. Biomechanical testing of the LCP: how can stability in locked internal fixators be controlled?. Injury 2003; 34 (Suppl. 02) B11-B19
  Google Scholar
• 17 Larsen LJ, Roush JK, McLaughlin RM. Bone plate fixation of distal radius and ulna fractures in small- and miniature-breed dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1999; 35 (03) 243-250
  Google Scholar
• 18 Brianza SZ, Delise M, Maddalena Ferraris M, D'Amelio P, Botti P. Cross-sectional geometrical properties of distal radius and ulna in large, medium and toy breed dogs. J Biomech 2006; 39 (02) 302-311
  Google Scholar