Biomechanical properties of a novel locking compression plate to stabilize oblique tibial osteotomies in buffaloes.

Objective: Quantitation of mechanical properties of a novel locking compression plate (LCP) for bovine tibia.

Study Design: Prospective in vitro study.

Sample Population: Adult Murrah buffalo (250-350 kg) tibiae.

Methods: Forty tibiae were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (n = 8/group): intact bone and bone constructs with a standard nonlocking plate, single LCP, double LCP, and novel LCP. During implant application, a mid-diaphyseal, oblique osteotomy was performed in all constructs, which were subsequently tested in axial compression (n = 4 each) or three-point craniocaudal bending (n = 4 each). Novel LCP alone (n = 4) was tested only in bending. Stiffness, yield load, ultimate failure load, and bending moment were determined from the load deformation curves and compared among different treatment groups (P < .05).

Results: Under compression, yield load of the novel LCP (24.07 ± 3.45 kN) was greater than that of the nonlocking plate (11.10 ± 2.46 kN) and the single LCP (18.01 ± 2.07 kN) but less than that of the double LCP (30.61 ± 1.95 kN), and ultimate failure load of the novel LCP (25.85 ± 4.32 kN) was greater than that of the nonlocking plate (13.18 ± 2.91 kN) but similar to that of the single LCP (21.17 ± 2.33 kN) and the double LCP (32.40 ± 1.46 kN). Bending moment, yield load, and ultimate failure load of the novel LCP were 565.37 ± 79.30 Nm, 7.90 ± 1.14 kN, 9.83 ± 1.38 kN, respectively, which were greater than those of the nonlocking plate and the single LCP but comparable to those of the double LCP.

Conclusion: The novel LCP developed for bovine tibia was mechanically superior to the standard nonlocking plate or the single LCP and comparable to the double LCP.

Clinical Significance: The novel LCP may provide rigid fixation of tibial diaphyseal fractures in buffaloes and cattle weighing 250 to 350 kg.