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 2mm 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.