Biomechanical characteristics of external fixation for tibial plateau fractures / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Scholars have studied the three-dimensional finite element models of tibial plateau fractures with different fixation methods, but the research on three-dimensional finite element model of tibial plateau fracture fixation was not much. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical characteristics of external fixator for tibial plateau fracture by using the three-dimensional finite element method. METHODS:The tibial plateau fracture models treated with locking plate fixation and external fixator were established. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to analyze the stress distribution and displacement of two kinds of models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The average displacement value and the maximum displacement value of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model group were smal er than that of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model group, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). (2) X axial displacement value and Y axial displacement value were smal er in the tibial plateau fracture external fixator model group than in the tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model group, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). (3) The stress of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model focused on the junction of the screw and bone tissue as wel as the junction of plates and screws. The maximum stress value of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model (173 MPa) was greater than that of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model (86 MPa). The stress of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model was scattered. Obvious stress concentration did not occur. The stress at the junction of the clamp and the nail and the junction of the connecting rod and screw was higher than that at other regions, and was a weak link in the clinical mechanics. (4) Results showed that external fixation for tibial plateau fractures had better stability and fixing strength as compared with the internal fixation.