Plate biomechanics in cortical bone for open reduction and internal fracture fixation.

Abstract

Use of plates for osteosynthesis of bone fractures of extremities are increasing from year to year. A bone fracture healing depends a lot on the stability of its fixation, so the way how plate fix bone fragments is important. The fixation properties of plates depends from many factors, such as bone diameter, the thickness of the cortical layer, the quality of bone tissue, the mechanical properties of the material that was used for plate and screws manufacturing. The use of computer modelling helps to study biomechanical interactions between the plate, screws and the bone tissue according to the applied load. The biomechanical interaction between a plate, screws and bone fragments is one of the critical factors that affects the stability of a fracture. The aim of the study was to use a method of computer modeling with a finite element analysis for studying plate osteosynthesis, particularly to reveal the changes in the plate stress and displacement of bone fragments according to the applied load and material that was used for plate’s manufacturing.