Biomechanical Evaluation of the Influence of an Intramedullary Pin on the Stability of a Feline Ilial Fracture Model Stabilized With a Bone Plate

Objective To compare the mechanical properties of feline ilial fractures stabilized with either a plate (P), or a plate and IM pin (P + P). Study Design Mechanical study. Sample Population Cadaveric cat pelvii (n = 10). Methods Feline ilial fractures (n = 20) stabilized with either P or P + P were subjected to 100 nondestructive load cycles, then loaded to failure. Deformation after cycling, yield load and displacement, stiffness and load at 2 mm of displacement were compared between groups. Results There were no significant differences between groups for any of the parameters. Variability of data was much larger for the P + P group. Conclusions No biomechanical advantage was demonstrated. The P + P constructs were not significantly stronger than plates alone in this acutely loaded cadaveric model.