Caracterización de gomas elásticas para su uso en sistemas elásticos tensores, una nueva técnica para corregir la luxación patelar canina

Abstract

This article proposes a new technique for treating canine patellar luxation, called elastic tensioning system. The aim is to analyze the biomechanics of the system to achieve its functional purpose and describe the behavior of the most important component, the elastomer, by the characterization of their mechanical properties. The elastic system corrects the luxation deviation by forces applied to the femorotibial joint through tensioning mechanisms fixed externally to the joint. The technique involves the interlocking of two Kirschner wire near the joint, one in the distal femur, and the other one in the proximal tibia, joined by a tensioning element that produces a torque opposite to the angular deviation of the luxation. Elastomers are subjected to mechanical tests to find their stiffness. The system has been implemented in two different dog breeds with grade III of medial patellar luxation. Elastomers effectively produce a torque, tending to align the extensor mechanism as predicted in the biomechanical study. Early results show improvements in both, tibial offset correction and dog’s gait functionality.Tt is necessary to implement the system in different clinical cases to validate the technique.