Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing

Micromotion—defined as controlled cyclic axial movement at the fracture site—has emerged as a promising approach to enhance bone fracture healing. This review aims to evaluate micromotion-based fixation systems across biomechanical, preclinical, and clinical domains, highlighting their benefits, lim...

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Main Authors: Jiaxin Lv, Weichen Qi, Frankie Ka Li Leung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251352559
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author Jiaxin Lv
Weichen Qi
Frankie Ka Li Leung
author_facet Jiaxin Lv
Weichen Qi
Frankie Ka Li Leung
author_sort Jiaxin Lv
collection DOAJ
description Micromotion—defined as controlled cyclic axial movement at the fracture site—has emerged as a promising approach to enhance bone fracture healing. This review aims to evaluate micromotion-based fixation systems across biomechanical, preclinical, and clinical domains, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and technological progress. We summarize key micromotion technologies applied across various fixation systems, including far cortical locking and dynamic locking mechanisms in screws, suspension-based and shape-memory alloy-driven adjustments in plates, dynamization approaches in intramedullary nails through selective removal of interlocking components, and the evolution of external fixators from manually adjusted systems to intelligent, sensor-guided constructs such as the OrthoSpin frame.While internal fixations often rely on passive micromotion with limited controllability and potential safety concerns, external systems allow precise control but lack consensus on optimal stimulation parameters. Future advancements should focus on integrating real-time sensing and adaptive feedback to tailor micromotion based on healing stages and patient-specific needs.
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spelling doaj-art-c160c56f9e8e44c0809479b33a0a8f0d2025-08-20T02:37:10ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery2309-49902025-06-013310.1177/10225536251352559Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healingJiaxin LvWeichen QiFrankie Ka Li LeungMicromotion—defined as controlled cyclic axial movement at the fracture site—has emerged as a promising approach to enhance bone fracture healing. This review aims to evaluate micromotion-based fixation systems across biomechanical, preclinical, and clinical domains, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and technological progress. We summarize key micromotion technologies applied across various fixation systems, including far cortical locking and dynamic locking mechanisms in screws, suspension-based and shape-memory alloy-driven adjustments in plates, dynamization approaches in intramedullary nails through selective removal of interlocking components, and the evolution of external fixators from manually adjusted systems to intelligent, sensor-guided constructs such as the OrthoSpin frame.While internal fixations often rely on passive micromotion with limited controllability and potential safety concerns, external systems allow precise control but lack consensus on optimal stimulation parameters. Future advancements should focus on integrating real-time sensing and adaptive feedback to tailor micromotion based on healing stages and patient-specific needs.https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251352559
spellingShingle Jiaxin Lv
Weichen Qi
Frankie Ka Li Leung
Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
title Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
title_full Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
title_fullStr Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
title_full_unstemmed Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
title_short Advancements in micromotion-based fixation systems for fracture healing
title_sort advancements in micromotion based fixation systems for fracture healing
url https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251352559
work_keys_str_mv AT jiaxinlv advancementsinmicromotionbasedfixationsystemsforfracturehealing
AT weichenqi advancementsinmicromotionbasedfixationsystemsforfracturehealing
AT frankiekalileung advancementsinmicromotionbasedfixationsystemsforfracturehealing