Open Access, Peer-reviewed, Quarterly
pISSN 1225-1682
eISSN 2287-9293
    J Korean Fract Soc. 2010 Jan;23(1):83-89. Korean.
    Published online Jan 31, 2010.
    https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.1.83
    Copyright © 2010 The Korean Fracture Society
    Original Article

    A Finite Element Analysis of Biomechanical Stability of Compression Plate Fixation System in according to Existing of Fracture Gap after Bone Fracture Augmentation

    Duk-Young Jung, Ph.D.,*,‡ Bong-Ju Kim, Ph.D.,† and Jong-Keon Oh, M.D.‡
      • *Senior Products Industrial Center, Busan Techno-park, Korea.
      • †AK Project, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
      • ‡Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea University College of Medcine, Seoul, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Jong-Keon Oh, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea University College of Medcine, 80, Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2626-3088, Fax: 82-2-2626-1164, Email: jkoh@korea.ac.kr
    Received October 07, 2009; Accepted November 09, 2009.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    This study using the finite element analysis (FEA) focused on evaluating the biomechanical stability of the LC-DCP in accordance with existing of the fracture gap at the facture site after bone fracture augmentation.

    Materials and Methods

    For FEM analysis, total eleven types with different fracture models considering clinical fracture cases were constructed according to the fracture gap sizes (0, 1, 4 mm)/widths (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%). Limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation system was used in this FEM analysis, and three types of load were applied to the bone-plate fixation system: compressive, torsional, bending load.

    Results

    The results in FEM analysis showed that the 1, 4 mm fracture gap sizes and 75% or more fracture gap widths increased considerably the peak von Mises stress (PVMS) both the plate and the screw under all loading conditions. PVMS were concentrated on the center of the LC-DCP bone-plate, and around the necks of screws.

    Conclusion

    Based on the our findings, we recommend at least 50% contact of the fracture faces in a fracture surgery using the compression bone-plate system. Moreover, if x-ray observation after surgery finds 100% fracture gap or 50% or more fracture gap width, supplementary measures to improve biomechanical stability must be taken, such as restriction of walking of the patient or plastering.

    Keywords
    Bone fracture; LC-DCP; Fracture gap; Biomechanical stability; FEM

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Bone fracture augmentations with compressing plate (A), the arrow indicates the fracture gap at the bone fracture site (B), and the arrow indicates callus formation around the bone fracture site (C).

    Fig. 2
    Test specimen with LC-DCP fixation system for validating the 3-D FEM model (A), the bone-plate fixation system 3-D FEM model (B), and the fracture gap sizes and widths (C).

    Fig. 3
    Von Mises stress distributions and levels on the screws (A) and the plates (B) according to the changes of the fracture gap size and fracture gap width under compressive load.

    Fig. 4
    Comparisons of peak von Mises stress (PVMS) according to the change of fracture gap size and width under the compressive load.

    Fig. 5
    Comparisons of peak von Mises stress (PVMS) according to the change of fracture gap size and width under the torsional load.

    Fig. 6
    Comparisons of peak von Mises stress (PVMS) according to the change of fracture gap size and width under the 4-point bending load.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Mechanical properties and component interface conditions assigned to FEA models

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    MeSH Terms
    Finite Element Analysis
    Fractures, Bone
    Humans
    Neck
    Walking
    Metrics
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