Bending Strength and Stiffness of Canine Cadaver Spines After Fixation of a Lumbar Spinal Fracture-Luxation Using a Novel Unilateral Stabilization Technique Compared to Traditional Dorsal Stabilization

Abstract

Objective: To 1) assess the bending strength and stiffness of canine cadaver spines after fixation of a lumbar spinal fracture-luxation using a novel unilateral stabilization technique with pins and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and 2) compare the results to a reference standard dorsal pin and PMMA technique. Study Design: A randomized non-inferiority trial. Sample Population: Cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-L6) from 20 Greyhounds. Methods: Specimens were paired to match bodyweight and vertebral size. A standardized fracture/luxation was performed between L3 and L4. One spine within each pair was randomly assigned the unilateral fixation technique and the other received the reference standard d..