Fifteen synthetic tibiae compared three plates for posterolateral fragments. A 2.7-mm distal-radius T-oblique LCP showed less displacement at 500–1,000 N in secondary analyses, while the primary implant-group effect was marginal and load-to-failure did not differ.
Key findings
- Load had a clear main effect, but implant group was p=0.077 and interaction p=0.289. Group C advantages appeared only in secondary 500–1,000 N analyses; 1,500 N and failure load were nonsignificant.
Why this matters globally
Repurposing an available plate for difficult anatomy may expand surgical options where dedicated implants are limited.
Thai researcher contribution
Navamindradhiraj, Vajira and Mahidol researchers conducted the biomechanical study, with Kitchai Luksameearunothai as corresponding author.
Limitations to consider
Only five specimens per group were used. Synthetic bones omit soft tissue, bone quality and healing, and multiple secondary comparisons raise false-positive risk.