Intraosseous stress distribution and bone interaction during load application across the canine elbow joint: A preliminary finite element analysis for determination of condylar fracture pathogenesis in immature and mature dogs

Abstract

Distal humeral fractures are common fractures especially in immature small breed dogs. The pathogenesis is still unknown. For this study, a three- dimensional bone model of the canine elbow was created and finite element analysis performed in order to determine the relationship between fracture type and bone interactions. Fused and non-fused humeral condyles were considered. A failure criterion was implemented to simulate the pathogenesis until fracture. Our study results confirm the clinical observation that lateral condylar fracture is the most common fracture type, implying interaction with the radius. Medial and Y-fractures are less common and occur always in interaction with the ulna whereas the radius causes lateral condylar fracture. Additionally, the fracture type is sensitive to bone positioning during trauma. The pathogenesis of distal humeral fractures is more complex than generally reported in the literature.

Keywords: Condylar fracture; Dog; Elbow; Finite element analysis; Fracture pathogenesis.