An in vitro biomechanical study of bone plate and interlocking nail in a canine diaphyseal femoral fracture model

OBJECTIVE: To compare the structural properties and the interfragmentary motion in ostectomized canine femurs stabilized with either an 8-mm interlocking nail system (IN) or a 10-hole dynamic compression broad plate (DCP). ANIMAL OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten pairs of adult canine femurs with a 25-mm mid-diaphyseal gap. METHODS: Bone specimens were divided into 2 groups (10 femurs each). Left femurs were stabilized with a DCP and 8 bicortical screws; right femurs were stabilized with an IN and 3 screws. Mechanical tests were performed in eccentric axial loading and in craniocaudal bending. The testing was first conducted nondestructively and then until breakage. Structural properties, ie, stiffness, yield limits, and failure limits, were determined. Interfragmentary motion was measured during nondestructive tests with the use of an optoelectronic device. Axial, transverse, and rotational motions were calculated. Mean values of stiffness, yield and failure limits, and axial and shear motions for each fixation method were compared using a paired t test within each group (P <.05). RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) values of stiffness and failure limit were significantly higher for IN constructs than for DCP constructs in compression, while there was little difference in the results between each tested group in bending. Mean yield load values were significantly higher for IN than for DCP specimens in compression as well as in bending. The axial-motion analysis revealed significant differences between IN and DCP groups during bending tests only. The highest score of transverse motion at the gap was recorded during bending tests, and was higher for DCP than for IN specimens. There were insignificant differences between the two groups with regard to rotation around the diaphyseal axis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Structural properties and interfragmentary shear motion analysis demonstrated a much higher rigidity in the IN-bone than in the DCP-bone constructs.