Applicability of bovine tibia as a model in research on various osteosynthesis techniques

Background and purpose: The main problem in experimental research in traumalology and orthopedics is unavailability of a large number of samples of human origin. In this research, standard and modified osteo-syntheses were performed on bovine tibia to determine whether bovine tibia can be used as a model in biomechanical research on two or more methods of osteosynthesis. Materials and methods: Investigations were carried out on six preparations of cadaveric human tibia and on six preparations of bovine tibia with the use of device for static and dynamic research on long bone model. The bones were artificially broken and then osteosynthesis was performed on them in two ways: applying the standard method and the modified method with bone cement. The aim of these investigations was to determine the size of the axial force and torsion moment that can be exerted to apply static and dynamic loading on the macerated cadaveric tibia and bovine tibia without breaking the bone or causing its permanent deformation. Results: Investigations conducted on preparations of bovine tibia and cadaveric human tibia showed that there was not even minimal deformation of the bovine tibia in both standard and modified osteosynthesis. There was no shift in torsion angle at all with all three values of torsion moment applied in these investigations. This result was obtained in both standard and modified osteosynthesis. The results showed that in both bovine and human preparations the loosening occurred sooner when standard osteosynthesis was applied. Conclusion: In conclusion, the bovine bone has good potential for use as material for biomechanical experiments.