The Effect of Location of a Unicortical Defect on the Mechanical Properties of Rabbit Tibiae: A Model of the Distal Jig Pin Hole in Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a unicortical defect at either the mid-diaphysis (MD) or distal metaphysis (DM) on the torsional properties of tibiae in an rabbit model, and to further examine optimal distal jig pin position for the canine tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure.

Study Design:  Thirty-eight tibiae from 19 skeletally mature female New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to one of three groups; Group 1: intact, Group 2: MD defect and Group 3: DM defect. Defects were created using a 1.