LCP Pancarpal Arthrodesis Plate Family (2.7/3.5, 2.0/2.7, 2.0/2.4)
Erik Asimus, Brian Beale, Randy Boudrieau, Loïc Déjardin, Michael Kowaleski
Fig 1: Illustration of the veterinary 2.7/3.5 Pancarpal Arthrodesis Plate on a canine skeleton. Pancarpal arthrodesis is a surgical technique used as a salvage procedure for the treatment of carpal disorders including hyperextension injuries, severe fractures or luxations, degenerative joint disease, and congenital malformations in skeletally mature dogs. Despite its biomechanical disadvantage, the most common procedure relies on a dorsally applied bone plate for anatomical considerations. Complications include wound dehiscence, infection, failure of the central (radiocarpal) or distal screws, and fractures of the third metacarpal bone.
The recently launched 2.7/3.5 mm Pancarpal Arthrodesis (PCA) Plate (Fig 1) was designed specifically for carpal arthrodesis in skeletally mature dogs of 20-40 kg*.
Line Extension versions (2.0/2.7 & 2.0/2.4) have been specifically developed to fit the anatomy of smaller dogs.
Plate family overview
- 2.7/3.5 plate, 151 mm long, 3.3 mm thick, for dogs of 20-40 kg*
- 2.0/2.7 plate, 108 mm long, 2.6 mm thick, for dogs of 13-19 kg*
- 2.0/2.4 plate, 88 mm long, 2.0 mm thick, for dogs of 7-12 kg*
All Plates must be contoured to achieve an appropriate carpal extension angle; an angle of 15-20° is recommended.
Plate design
The following features are implemented in its design to mitigate the above-mentioned complications (Fig 2):
- Hybrid construction to occupy a smaller percentage of bone diameter in the third metacarpal bone
- Locking technology providing better stability and to preserve the bony vascular supply
- Combi-holes that accept either cortex or locking screws, and allow compression between radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal joints
- Optimized plate length with tapered thickness proximally and distally to accommodate soft-tissue closure and a reduced stiffness at the ends of the plate
- Center hole that provides up to 25° of proximal angulation and accepts a:
- 2.7 mm or 3.5 mm cortex screw (2.7/3.5 plate)
- 2.7 mm cortex screw (2.0/2.7 plate)
- 2.4 mm cortex screw (2.0/2.4 plate)
*Body weight indications for reference only. Other factors such as breed, skeletal anatomy and body score should be taken into consideration when selecting the proper implant.
Fig 2a: Top, side, and bottom view of the 2.7/3.5 PCA plate showing its features. 
Fig 2b: Illustrations of the Line Extensions: 2.0/2.7 (top) and 2.0/2.4 (bottom). Pancarpal Arthrodesis Plate Family
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