VCOT January 2026 – Ortho Part 1: TPLO Plate Design & Patient-Specific Atlantoaxial Implants

In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we kick off our orthopedic coverage from the January 2026 issue of Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology (VCOT) by exploring how implant design can influence surgical success long before the patient leaves the operating room. One study demonstrates that subtle differences in TPLO plate geometry can dramatically affect interfragmentary compression and construct stability, while the second introduces a patient-specific 3D-printed implant that could transform the treatment of atlantoaxial instability in toy-breed dogs.In this episode:✅ Miraldo et al. — Compared three commonly used 3.5 mm TPLO locking plate systems to determine how plate design affects interfragmentary compression across the osteotomy. Using pressure-sensitive film, the authors found that the Biocurve plate generated the highest and most uniform compression, particularly across the cranial aspect of the osteotomy, owing to its opposing dynamic compression slot orientation. In contrast, the Synthes plate produced the lowest compression, highlighting that implant geometry—not just surgical technique—plays a major role in achieving stable primary bone healing.✅ Peres Cabrera et al. — Presented a patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implant for dorsal stabilization of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in dogs. Designed from CT imaging and optimized using finite element analysis, the implant incorporates an integrated drill guide that directs screw placement while allowing up to 12 degrees of variable-angle adjustment. Mechanical testing demonstrated excellent rigidity, with maximum implant stress remaining well below the titanium alloy's yield strength and only 0.13 mm of displacement under supraphysiologic loading. The design eliminates the need for polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), reducing the risks of thermal injury, infection, and implant-related complications. Together, these studies reinforce a simple but powerful lesson: the smartest implant isn't always the strongest—it's the one designed to help surgeons consistently achieve the best biomechanics with the greatest precision.🎓 Journal Articles DiscussedMiraldo et al. — Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Plate Design Influences Interfragmentary Compression: An In Vitro StudyPeres Cabrera et al. — Development and Finite Element Analysis of a Patient-Specific Implant for Atlantoaxial Joint Stabilization via Dorsal Approach in Dogs📚 From the January 2026 issue of VCOT🎁 Want to learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample?Learn More: www.simini.comRequest a Sample: https://www.simini.com/evaluation-kit