Finite Element Analysis on Bone Healing Under Different Screw Configurations / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of screw configurations on bone healing, so as to provide the basis for related fracture treatment. Methods The process of bone healing under different screw configurations was studied by finite element method, and the change in the process of callus growth during healing periods was simulated by interfragmentary strain theory (IFS). The iterative process for renewing callus modulus in every finite element was conducted by the second-developed ABAQUS based on Python scripting language, thus the process of fracture healing was simulated. Results The effect from different numbers of screws on bone healing was smaller than that from different working length of bone plates. On the premise of stable fixation, given the certain working length of bone plates, the effect from different screw numbers on stress distributions in plates or screws was relatively small, while the effect from different working length on stress distributions in plates or screws was relatively large, and the stress distribution in plates was larger than that in screws at different working length. Conclusions It is necessary to take more consideration on working length of bone plates than the number of screws when they are under a stable fixed situation, and it is a wise choice to reduce the screw numbers and choose a suitable working length for bone healing process.