Bi̇omechani̇cal compari̇son of transarti̇cular ci̇rcular external fi̇xati̇on system wi̇th the new generation linear tarsal fi̇xator i̇n tarsocrural joi̇nt stabi̇li̇zati̇on i̇n three di̇menti̇onal cat bone model

In this study, biomechanical comparison of Ilizarov Circular External Fixation and New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator was made on a three-dimensional cat bone model in terms of force, angle and angle difference parameters. This study was carried out on 12 three-dimensional cat bone models produced from PLA (Polylactic acid) raw material, to which Ilizarov Circular External Fixator (n=6) and New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator (n=6) (Exvet®, Turkey) were applied. The bone models in which these two configurations were established were placed vertically in a servo-hydraulic system-operated testing device (Instron® 8801, Instron, Norwood, MA, USA) by cutting segments of approximately 8 mm from the most proximal part of the tibia and approximately 5 mm from the most distal part of the metatarsal bones with an oscillatory bone saw at a constant speed to create a planar contact surface, and axial compression force was applied. Compression force was started with 0 N and gradually increased by the computer system until the configuration went to failure (Fmax). As a result of the biomechanical tests, the durability of the classical Ilizarov configuration and the New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator on stabilization were compared. Data were collected and analyzed by the program (WaveMatrix 2 Dynamic Testing Software). While the average force value was measured as 38.27 ± 11.12 in the group stabilized with the Ilizarov method, this value was determined as 19.25 ± 9.30 in the group using the New Generation Linear Fixator. The difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.009). The Ilizarov mean angle value was determined as 100.51 ± 3.58° and the New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator was determined as 106.21 ± 3.99°. The difference between the groups is statistically significant (p = 0.026). In terms of angle difference, the average was recorded as 19.50 ± 3.58° for Ilizarov and 13.79 ± 3.99° for New Generation Linear. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.026). Biomechanically, the Ilizarov configuration has been shown to have higher force resistance compared to the Next Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator. The New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator provides the advantage of allowing a wider angle in the joint position compared to the Ilizarov configuration. When rigidity calculations are made with angle difference averages, it is revealed that Ilizarov configurations show higher resistance to angular deformation, i.e. they are more rigid. As a result, the findings obtained in this study show that multidimensional parameters such as force, rigidity, deformation direction and geometric structure of the configuration should be evaluated together in biomechanical studies of external fixator systems. It has been concluded that more extensive clinical studies are needed to make a biomechanical comparison of Ilizarov Circular External Fixation and New Generation Linear Tarsal Fixator in terms of force, angle and angle difference parameters.