In vitro cyclic biomechanical properties of an interlocking equine tibial nail.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cyclic biomechanical properties of gap osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with an equine interlocking nail (EIN). STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experimental biomechanical investigation. SAMPLE POPULATION: Thirteen adult equine cadaveric tibiae. METHODS: Adult equine tibiae with transverse, midshaft, 1-cm gap osteotomies, stabilized with an equine interlocking nail, underwent cyclic biomechanical testing in vitro under axial compression, 4-point bending, and torsion. Different specimens were subjected to different load levels that represented estimated in vivo loads at 2 Hz for 740,000 cycles. Fatigue life and gap strain were calculated. RESULTS: Compression and bending, but not torsional, fatigue life were longer than time necessary for bone healing. Compressive, but not bending or torsional, gap strains were small enough to be compatible with fracture healing by primary bone formation. Gap strains for compressive, bending, and torsional loads were compatible with indirect, or secondary, bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: Further modification should be made to the equine interlocking nail to increase bending stiffness and torsional fatigue life. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The stainless steel equine intramedullary interlocking nail is unlikely to provide appropriate long-term stability for fracture healing in adult equine tibiae without modifications in the nail design and material.

Limb loading activity of adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine hospital barn.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a range of limb loading activity for healthy adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine veterinary teaching hospital and determine the effects of hospital environmental factors on load rates and daily limb loading patterns. ANIMALS: 6 mature healthy horses of various ages, breeds, and sexes, and 1 horse with a repaired metatarsal fracture. PROCEDURE: Step monitors were placed on 2 limbs of adult horses confined to box stalls. Relocation steps and weight shifts were recorded, as loading events, for 24 hours. Influence of forelimb versus hind limb and environmental factors on load rate (loading events per hour) were assessed with repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Loading activity was greater for the forelimb than the hind limb and was greater during the day than the night. Loading activity differences were not associated with daytime environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses with normal locomotor activity appear to have higher load rates for forelimbs compared with hind limbs and higher load rates during the day compared with night. Knowledge of influence of environmental factors and mechanical restraint on limb loading activity may be useful in management of horses with musculoskeletal disorders. This information may also be used for in vitro simulation of in vivo loading of limbs during cyclic biomechanical investigations.

An in vitro biomechanical investigation of an equine interlocking nail.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanical properties of Equine Interlocking Nail (EIN; JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis) stabilized osteotomized tibiae and compare these variables with estimated in vivo loads. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical investigation. ANIMALS: Twelve adult equine cadaveric tibiae. SAMPLE POPULATION: EIN-stabilized tibiae were tested monotonically under compression, 3- and 4-point bending, and torsion. Mechanical properties were compared with estimated in vivo loads. RESULTS: EIN-tibial composite mean compressive yield load (11 kN) and bending moment (216 Nm) were greater than loads expected postoperatively in vivo; however, the mean torsional yield load (156 Nm) was less than that expected in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: EIN-stabilized tibiae had compressive and bending strengths greater than those expected to maintain stability during walking in adult horses. Torsional yield strength did not appear sufficient to provide stability during walking in vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The EIN is not a feasible method of fracture repair for adult equine tibial fractures at this time, because its mechanical properties appear inadequate to withstand the postoperative torsional loads encountered during walking. Because this method of fracture repair may offer biological advantages, further modification of an interlocking nail for adult horses appears warranted.

An in vitro biomechanical investigation of the mechanical properties of dynamic compression plated osteotomized adult equine tibiae.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the monotonic mechanical properties of osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with two dynamic compression plates (DCP) and to compare the mechanical properties with those of intact tibiae and in vivo loads. STUDY DESIGN: The compressive, bending, and torsional mechanical properties of plated and intact tibiae were assessed in vitro. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Twelve pairs of adult equine tibiae. METHODS: Tibiae were loaded in axial compression, craniocaudal 3-point bending, or torsion in external rotation in a single cycle to failure. Mechanical properties were determined from load-displacement data. RESULTS: Compared to intact tibiae, the mean yield load, failure load and stiffness of plated tibiae were significantly lower (P < .05) (compression and torsion); and the mean yield and failure bending moments, and bending stiffness, of the plated tibiae were lower (P < .075 for yield), or significantly lower, respectively. The mean compression and bending yield loads for plated tibiae were greater than in vivo loads. The mean torsional yield load for plated tibiae approximated the torsional load determined for the adult horse at a walk. CONCLUSIONS: Simple, anatomically reduced, DCP plated tibiae should have adequate strength to withstand immediate, postoperative in vivo compressive loads and bending moments placed on the tibia in vivo during immediate postoperative activities, however, may not have adequate torsional strength during immediate postoperative weight-bearing at a walk. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Additional supportive methods, to decrease torsional loads, may be beneficial in maintaining stability of plate repaired tibiae during recovery from anesthesia and postoperative healing.

In vitro biomechanical comparison of the strength of the linea alba of the llama, using two suture patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the strength of the sutured linea alba, in vitro, using 2 suture patterns. ANIMALS: 12 clinically normal llamas. PROCEDURE: 2 incisions in the linea alba of 12 llamas were closed with a simple continuous or inverted cruciate pattern, and tissue was harvested after 10 days. In 6 llamas the simple continuous line was intact; the inverted cruciate specimens contained 6 sutures. In 6 llamas, 1 knot was excised in the simple continuous pattern to simulate a failed line; the cruciate pattern contained 5 knots. Tissue sections were taken from cranial, between, and caudal to the linea alba incisions to compare fascial thickness. The sutured specimens were mounted in a mechanical testing system and tested to failure. A mixed-model ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of suture pattern and incisional position on mechanical properties. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found between suture patterns or between location for yield force, failure force, or yield strain, whereas failure strain was lower for the intact simple continuous pattern than the inverted cruciate pattern (P = 0.003). From histomorphometric analysis, the caudal tissue specimens were significantly thinner than the middle tissue specimen cranial to the umbilicus (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in monotonic breaking strength of the linea alba sutured with the simple continuous or inverted cruciate pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results justify the use of the simple continuous pattern over the cruciate pattern for ventral midline closure in llamas because of the ease of placement and speed.

An in vitro biomechanical investigation of an interlocking nail for fixation of diaphyseal tibial fractures in adult horses.

The compressive, bending and torsional mechanical properties of osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with an interlocking intramedullary nail (nail-tibia composite) were compared with those of intact tibiae to determine the clinical applicability of the the nail for repair of tibial fractures in adult horses. The mean yield load, failure load, and stiffness for the nail-tibia composites were significantly less (P < .05) than those for the intact tibiae in all loading configurations. The mean compressive yield load for the nail-tibia composites was greater than the compressive load calculated from previously reported in vivo data for walking and trotting, and was equal to the load calculated for recovery from anesthesia. The mean yield bending moment for the nail-tibia composites was greater than the bending moment previously calculated for standing, walking, and recovery from anesthesia. The mean torsional yield load for the nail-tibia composites was less than the torsional load determined for the walk from another in vivo study. The design of the interlocking nail evaluated in the present study should be modified to increase torsional and compressive yield strengths and torsional stiffness before reasonable success could be expected for the treatment of adult equine tibial fractures.

Enterolithiasis in two zebras.

Enterolithiasis, as a cause of colic, was diagnosed and treated during surgical intervention in 2 Grant's zebras (Equus burchelli bohmi). The zebras were part of a wild herd in a zoo in the western United States. The clinical signs of enterolithiasis in both zebras were similar to those reported for horses. Analysis of the enterolith from 1 zebra revealed a composition identical to enteroliths that have been analyzed from horses. Three other zebras from this herd had enteroliths at necropsy. Enterolithiasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for zebras with low-grade obstructive colic.

Repair of sacral fracture in two dairy cattle.

Sacral fractures in 2 dairy cattle were repaired surgically for cosmetic reasons. A heifer had a Salter-Harris type-I fracture of the fifth sacral vertebra, which was repaired with a 4.5-mm narrow dynamic compression plate. A cow had complete fracture of the fourth sacral body, which was repaired with 2 extra-large plastic spinous process plates. Both fixations were successful in restoring the dorsal contour of the sacrococcygeal region.