Radiographic abnormalities in tubular bone after rigid plate fixation in rabbits.

Rigid stainless steel osteosynthesis plates (DCP/ASIF) were attached bilaterally onto the intact tibio-fibular bone in 40 rabbits. Axial compression was used on the right side, neutral plate fixation on the left. The radiographic appearances of the bone were analysed 1 day, and 1, 3, 12, 24 and 36 weeks postoperatively. The changes in the bone were progressive, related to the time of fixation, and similar in the right and left leg. The main alterations were a progressive thinning of the cortical bone under the plate and a progressive cancellous transformation of the tubular bone.