Evaluating the Stability and Feasibility of 1.5-& 2.0-mm Hybrid Locking Plates for Treating Distal Radius Fractures in Small and Toy Breed Dogs

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the stability and safety of 1.5-& 2.0-mm hybrid locking plates compared to conventional 1.5 mm locking plates for managing radius and ulnar fractures in small and toy-breed dogs. The hybrid locking plate features two 2.0 mm screw holes designed for distal segment and six 1.5 mm screw holes for proximal segments. We conducted mechanical tests across three configurations targeting the distal segment of the radius: a conventional locking plate with three 1.5 mm screws, one with two 1.5 mm screws, and a hybrid locking plate with two 2.0 mm screws, using fracture gap model. Our findings indicate that the hybrid plates provided the highest mean stiffness and significantly reduced impulse values, suggesting enhanced stability and lower energy absorption. Specifically, stiffness values increased from 193.58 N/mm in the basic setup to 268.56 N/mm in the hybrid configuration, while impulse values decreased significantly across the groups, pointing to potential benefits in immediate post-operative stability. However, the fatigue cyclic tests highlighted no significant differences in survival rates among the groups, suggesting that further research is needed to validate these findings under more dynamic conditions. Consequently, these results underline the potential of 1.5-& 2.0-mm hybrid plates as a valuable tool for treating challenging fractures in small breeds, although further clinical trials are necessary to confirm their effectiveness in real-world scenarios. © The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics.