Biomechanical evaluation of three different configurations of external fixators for treating distal third tibia fracture: Finite element analysis in axial, bending and torsion load

• Published in: Computers in biology and medicine 2020-12, Vol.127, p.104062-104062, Article 104062
• Main Authors: Abdul Wahab, Abdul Hadi, Wui, Ng Bing, Abdul Kadir, Mohammed Rafiq, Ramlee, Muhammad Hanif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Axial loads; Bending; Biomechanics; Bones; Configurations; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Fractures; Hospitals; Load; Locking; Mathematical models; Open fractures; Software; Stability; Surgeons; Surgery; Three dimensional models; Tibia; Trauma
• ISSN: 0010-4825; 1879-0534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104062

External fixators have been widely used in treating open fractures and have produced excellent outcomes, as they could successfully heal bones. The stability of external fixators lies greatly in their construction. Factors that associated with the stability of the external fixators includes stress, displacement, and relative micromotion. Three-dimensional (3D) models of bone and external fixators were constructed by using 3D modelling software, namely Materialise and SolidWorks, respectively. Three different configurations of external fixators namely Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3 were analysed. Three load cases were simulated to assess the abovementioned factors at the bone, specifically at the fracture site and at the external fixator. Findings showed that the double-cross configuration (Model 3) was the most promising in axial, bending, and torsion load cases as compared to the other two configurations. The no-cross configuration (Model 1) had the highest risk of complication due to high stress, relative micromotion, and displacement in the bending and torsion load cases. On the other hand, the single-cross configuration (Model 2) had the highest risk of complication when applied with axial load. In conclusion, the double-cross locking construct (Model 3) showed the biggest potential to be a new option for medical surgeons in treating patients associated with bone fracture. This new double-cross locking construct showed superior biomechanical stability as compared to single-cross and no-cross configurations in the axial, bending, and torsion load cases. •Assessing a novel concept of self-locking bars construct which able toenhance stability by using the same number of elements.•Analyzing the stability of construct of external fixators via finite element analysis.•The double cross self-locking construct (Model 3) had superior performance toprovide stability after tibia fracture.