Lateral tripod 3-pinning provides an effective unilateral approach for stabilizing canine distal femoral physeal fractures.

The lateral tripod 3-pin technique offers superior axial compression resistance and a minimally invasive alternative to cross-pinning for canine distal femoral physeal fractures.

This experimental biomechanical study evaluated the lateral tripod 3-pin (3LTP) technique as an alternative to traditional cross-pinning (XP) for Kirschner wire fixation of distal femoral physeal fractures in small-breed dogs. Using 30 polycarbonate 3D-printed bone models simulating Salter-Harris type I (SH-I) fractures, researchers allocated specimens equally (n=10/group) to three fixation groups: cross-pinning (XP), lateral double-pinning (2LP), and lateral tripod 3-pinning (3LTP), all using 1.0-mm Kirschner wires. Axial compression testing on a universal testing machine was performed until implant failure, with maximum failure load (Newtons) as the primary outcome. Results demonstrated that the 3LTP technique achieved the highest mean maximum failure load at 445.10 N (95% CI, 412.4–477.8), significantly outperforming both XP at 385.60 N (95% CI, 367.5–403.7) and 2LP at 330.70 N (95% CI, 311.4–350.0). The failure mode across all groups was implant bending. The 3LTP technique offers a unilateral surgical approach, which may reduce iatrogenic damage to the medial soft tissue structures and neurovascular supply compared to the bilateral access required for cross-pinning. These findings suggest that the 3LTP technique provides superior biomechanical resistance to axial compressive forces while also offering a minimally invasive advantage. Clinically, this technique may benefit small-breed dogs that are particularly vulnerable to distal femoral physeal fractures. Limitations include the use of synthetic bone models rather than cadaveric specimens and the absence of rotational or bending load testing.

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