Unilateral external fixator and its biomechanical effects in treating different types of femoral fracture: A finite element study with experimental validated model

Aziz, Aishah Umairah Abd and Ammarullah, Muhammad Imam and Ng, Bing Wui and Gan, Hong-Seng and Kadir, Mohammed Rafiq Abdul and Ramlee, Muhammad Hanif (2024) Unilateral external fixator and its biomechanical effects in treating different types of femoral fracture: A finite element study with experimental validated model. Heliyon, 10 (4). e26660. ISSN 2405-8440, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26660.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26660

Abstract

Previous works had successfully demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of unilateral external fixator in treating various types of fracture, ranging from the simple type, such as oblique and transverse fractures, to complex fractures. However, literature that investigated its biomechanical analyses to further justify its efficacy is limited. Therefore, this paper aimed to analyse the stability of unilateral external fixator for treating different types of fracture, including the simple oblique, AO32C3 comminuted, and 20 mm gap transverse fracture. These fractures were reconstructed at the distal diaphysis of the femoral bone and computationally analysed through the finite element method under the stance phase condition. Findings showed a decrease in the fixation stiffness in large gap fracture (645.2 Nmm-1 for oblique and comminuted, while 23.4 Nmm1 for the gap fracture), which resulted in higher displacement, IFM and stress distribution at the pin bone interface. These unfavourable conditions could consequently increase the risk of delayed union, pin loosening and infection, as well as implant failure. Nevertheless, the stress observed on the fracture surfaces was relatively low and in controlled amount, indicating that bone unity is still allowable in all models. Briefly, the unilateral fixation may provide desirable results in smaller fracture gap, but its usage in larger gap fracture might be alarming. These findings could serve as a guide and insight for surgeons and researchers, especially on the biomechanical stability of fixation in different fracture types and how will it affect bone unity.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) (04M13); (4J583); (04M22)
Uncontrolled Keywords: External fixator; Finite element analysis; Fracture healing; Pin tract infection; Femur
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering Department
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 05 Nov 2024 08:38
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 08:38
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/45588

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item