ObjectiveTo evaluate the biomechanical effect of a nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) three-dimensional memory alloy mesh in treating a canine tibial plateau collapse fracture model and to lay a foundation for further experiments in vivo.MethodsSixteen tibial plateau specimens of 8 adult Beagle dogs were harvested. Twelve specimens were taken to prepare canine tibial plateau collapse fracture models (Schatzker type Ⅲ) and randomly divided into groups A, B, and C, with 4 specimens in each group. Four normal tibia specimens were used as blank control group (group D). In groups A and B, the bone defects were repaired with Ni-Ti three-dimensional shape memory alloy mesh combined with autologous bone and simple autologous bone respectively, and fixed with the lateral plate and screw. In group C, the bone defect was directly fixed with the lateral plate and screw. By using a biomechanical tester, a progressive load (0-1 700 N) was loaded vertically above the femoral condyle. The maximum failure load was recorded and the stiffness was calculated according to the load-displacement curve.ResultsThe maximum failure loads in groups A, B, C, and D were (1 624.72±7.02), (1 506.57±3.37), (1 102.00±1.83), and (1 767.64±24.56) N, respectively; and the stiffnesses were (129.72±20.83), (96.54±27.05), (74.96±17.70), and (169.01±35.62) N/mm, respectively. The maximum failure load and stiffness in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C, but which were significantly lower than those in group D (P<0.05).ConclusionNi-Ti three-dimensional memory alloy mesh combined with autologous bone can repair the Schatzker type Ⅲ tibial plateau collapse fracture, which has better biomechanical properties than simple autologous bone grafting.
