Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading

Abstract Purpose This study establishes a quantitative anatomical-mechanical-clinical decision-making mapping relationship using the Digital Intelligence Orthopaedic Technology, systematically analyses the dynamic biomechanical characteristics of distal humerus fracture in the postoperative period,...

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Main Authors: Zhengfeng Jia, Cheng Xu, Weilu Gao, Changsen Yang, Peifu Tang, Jiantao Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05876-z
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author Zhengfeng Jia
Cheng Xu
Weilu Gao
Changsen Yang
Peifu Tang
Jiantao Li
author_facet Zhengfeng Jia
Cheng Xu
Weilu Gao
Changsen Yang
Peifu Tang
Jiantao Li
author_sort Zhengfeng Jia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose This study establishes a quantitative anatomical-mechanical-clinical decision-making mapping relationship using the Digital Intelligence Orthopaedic Technology, systematically analyses the dynamic biomechanical characteristics of distal humerus fracture in the postoperative period, and establishes the quantitative correlation between optimal strategies of plate configuration and safety thresholds for joint activities, to provide the scientific basis for optimizing internal fixation schemes and quantifying postoperative rehabilitation strategies. Methods Upper limb muscle modeling was carried out in AnyBody software, muscle force, and other data were exported for finite distance solving and dynamic mechanical conditions were exported as the database for dynamic loading. Coupling the musculoskeletal dynamics simulation with finite element calculation, the elbow flexion-extension angle-muscle force-inner fixation stress transfer chain was established by AnyBody-Abaqus joint modeling technique to quantify the dynamic thresholds of the interface fracture micromovement (IFM) under different activity angles. The effects of different plate configurations (parallel plate, posterior medial plate, posterior lateral plate) on fracture stability and early healing were analyzed. Results In this study, we systematically evaluated the biomechanical pattern of internal fixation of distal humerus fracture as well as the postoperative safe activity window and elucidated the enhancement path of functional recovery of distal humerus fracture utilizing AnyBody musculoskeletal dynamics analysis. By means of AnyBody musculoskeletal dynamics analysis, the humerus stress migration path showed anatomical-dependent characteristics, with gradient transfer from the hawks’ fossa to the distal lateral condyle in flexion. Parallel plates stabilized the IFM in the bone healing window (0.06–0.20 mm) at 0–80° of flexion, whereas vertical plates breached the critical threshold (0.48 mm) in the IFM at > 30° of flexion. This reveals the law of mechanical matching between plate configuration and rehabilitation. There was a clear angle-dependent relationship between flexion angle and inter-fracture gap fragment motion (IFM). The IFM values tended to increase with increasing flexion and extension angles. When using parallel plates, allowing 0–80° of elbow flexion ensures better conditions for fracture healing. When using vertical plates, especially posterior medial plates active elbow flexion should be limited to about 30°. Conclusions In this study, we quantified the mechanical effect of muscle contraction force on the stability of internal fixation of distal humerus C-type fracture and revealed the biomechanical law in the postoperative period; we established a simulation model of dynamic and static loading and proposed a ‘safe activity window’ for postoperative exercise, which confirms the high stiffness of the parallel steel plate and the control of the angle of early active activity (≤ 80° of flexion). Flexion of more than 30° in the case of vertical plates leads to shear micromotion overruns (> 0.48 mm).
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spelling doaj-art-66abcbbf0b9e4bee9f2487523b24acc92025-08-20T01:51:39ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-05-0120111510.1186/s13018-025-05876-zEvaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loadingZhengfeng Jia0Cheng Xu1Weilu Gao2Changsen Yang3Peifu Tang4Jiantao Li5Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalSenior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalSenior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalSenior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalSenior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalSenior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalAbstract Purpose This study establishes a quantitative anatomical-mechanical-clinical decision-making mapping relationship using the Digital Intelligence Orthopaedic Technology, systematically analyses the dynamic biomechanical characteristics of distal humerus fracture in the postoperative period, and establishes the quantitative correlation between optimal strategies of plate configuration and safety thresholds for joint activities, to provide the scientific basis for optimizing internal fixation schemes and quantifying postoperative rehabilitation strategies. Methods Upper limb muscle modeling was carried out in AnyBody software, muscle force, and other data were exported for finite distance solving and dynamic mechanical conditions were exported as the database for dynamic loading. Coupling the musculoskeletal dynamics simulation with finite element calculation, the elbow flexion-extension angle-muscle force-inner fixation stress transfer chain was established by AnyBody-Abaqus joint modeling technique to quantify the dynamic thresholds of the interface fracture micromovement (IFM) under different activity angles. The effects of different plate configurations (parallel plate, posterior medial plate, posterior lateral plate) on fracture stability and early healing were analyzed. Results In this study, we systematically evaluated the biomechanical pattern of internal fixation of distal humerus fracture as well as the postoperative safe activity window and elucidated the enhancement path of functional recovery of distal humerus fracture utilizing AnyBody musculoskeletal dynamics analysis. By means of AnyBody musculoskeletal dynamics analysis, the humerus stress migration path showed anatomical-dependent characteristics, with gradient transfer from the hawks’ fossa to the distal lateral condyle in flexion. Parallel plates stabilized the IFM in the bone healing window (0.06–0.20 mm) at 0–80° of flexion, whereas vertical plates breached the critical threshold (0.48 mm) in the IFM at > 30° of flexion. This reveals the law of mechanical matching between plate configuration and rehabilitation. There was a clear angle-dependent relationship between flexion angle and inter-fracture gap fragment motion (IFM). The IFM values tended to increase with increasing flexion and extension angles. When using parallel plates, allowing 0–80° of elbow flexion ensures better conditions for fracture healing. When using vertical plates, especially posterior medial plates active elbow flexion should be limited to about 30°. Conclusions In this study, we quantified the mechanical effect of muscle contraction force on the stability of internal fixation of distal humerus C-type fracture and revealed the biomechanical law in the postoperative period; we established a simulation model of dynamic and static loading and proposed a ‘safe activity window’ for postoperative exercise, which confirms the high stiffness of the parallel steel plate and the control of the angle of early active activity (≤ 80° of flexion). Flexion of more than 30° in the case of vertical plates leads to shear micromotion overruns (> 0.48 mm).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05876-zDistal humerus fractureInternal fixationFinite element analysisMusculoskeletal dynamicsBiomechanicsFracture healing
spellingShingle Zhengfeng Jia
Cheng Xu
Weilu Gao
Changsen Yang
Peifu Tang
Jiantao Li
Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Distal humerus fracture
Internal fixation
Finite element analysis
Musculoskeletal dynamics
Biomechanics
Fracture healing
title Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
title_full Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
title_fullStr Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
title_short Evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus C-type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics: finite element analysis under dynamic loading
title_sort evaluation of internal fixation stability of distal humerus c type fractures based on musculoskeletal dynamics finite element analysis under dynamic loading
topic Distal humerus fracture
Internal fixation
Finite element analysis
Musculoskeletal dynamics
Biomechanics
Fracture healing
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05876-z
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