🔍 Key Findings
- Spacer pin fixation showed no difference in failure force or stiffness compared to tension band wire (TBW) or 2-pin techniques.
- All constructs failed under loads >1000 N, exceeding estimated peak quadriceps force in dogs during walking (~240 N).
- Patellar ligament failure was the most common mode of failure across all groups (5–8 samples per group).
- Distal tibial crest fractures were seen only in 2-pin and spacer pin groups, not in TBW group, suggesting TBW may protect against crest failure.
- No failures occurred at pin tracts, possibly due to pin placement within patellar ligament footprint.
- Spacer pin technique avoids placing pins through the tuberosity, potentially reducing risks of soft tissue complications like tendinopathy or irritation.
- Use of partial osteotomy with robust distal crest may substitute for TBW without compromising initial mechanical strength.
- Further in vivo or cyclic loading studies are required, as this cadaveric study tested only acute tensile failure.
