A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment
IntroductionDistal tibial fractures are common fracture sites and usually require surgical treatment to achieve anatomical reduction. Intramedullary nails (IMN) are widely used in orthopedics for stabilizing fractured bones and treating limb deformities. The process of postoperative bone healing is...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1532207/full |
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| author | Ke-Rui Zhang Bin Luo Ju Tu Ya-Qin Li Jun Wen Chang-Yong Shen Xue-Hai Jia Yi Deng Li-Tai Ma Yi Yang |
| author_facet | Ke-Rui Zhang Bin Luo Ju Tu Ya-Qin Li Jun Wen Chang-Yong Shen Xue-Hai Jia Yi Deng Li-Tai Ma Yi Yang |
| author_sort | Ke-Rui Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionDistal tibial fractures are common fracture sites and usually require surgical treatment to achieve anatomical reduction. Intramedullary nails (IMN) are widely used in orthopedics for stabilizing fractured bones and treating limb deformities. The process of postoperative bone healing is of great significance for patient rehabilitation and can guide subsequent treatment methods. However, the current radiographic techniques used to determine the degree of fusion, such as X-ray, need to be improved in accuracy and have some radiation effects. Several studies suggested that the mechanical load on the fracture area could reflect the bone healing process and evaluated the stability of fracture area. The aim of this study is to investigate the biomechanical changes in the fracture area during bone healing and IMN, and to prepare for the subsequent placement of intelligent stress and displacement sensors based on the changes in stress and displacement, in order to provide guidance for the treatment and rehabilitation of postoperative fractures.MethodsFinite element (FE) models representing different healing stages of tibial fractures were developed. All conditions were applied to simulate the stress and strain of the IMN fixation system under normal tibial stress.ResultsThe stress at the fracture area on the IMN gradually decreases, while the stress on the callus gradually increases until reaching a stable state at the 12th week after surgery. And the deformation value and the displacement value of the callus decrease and stabilize over time. Based on the changes in stress at the fracture area of the IMN and the displacement value of the callus, we can place a stress sensor at the fracture area of the IMN and a displacement sensor at the callus area.ConclusionThis study utilized FE analysis to evaluate stress, deformation and displacement between the IMN and bone during the healing process of tibial fractures in four stages. By combining these aspects, the degree of bone healing can be assessed. This research enables orthopedic doctors to monitor the progression of fracture healing without relying solely on imaging examinations. Furthermore, it aids in guiding patients to undergo appropriate rehabilitation training for better recovery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f56cd505b23446eba3beda5dcb8ea337 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-4185 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-f56cd505b23446eba3beda5dcb8ea3372025-08-20T03:21:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-06-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15322071532207A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatmentKe-Rui Zhang0Bin Luo1Ju Tu2Ya-Qin Li3Jun Wen4Chang-Yong Shen5Xue-Hai Jia6Yi Deng7Li-Tai Ma8Yi Yang9Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Ya’an People’s Hospital, Ya’an, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaSchool of Nursing, the Hongkong Polytechnic University, Hongkong, ChinaDepartment of Computer Science and Technology, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaIntroductionDistal tibial fractures are common fracture sites and usually require surgical treatment to achieve anatomical reduction. Intramedullary nails (IMN) are widely used in orthopedics for stabilizing fractured bones and treating limb deformities. The process of postoperative bone healing is of great significance for patient rehabilitation and can guide subsequent treatment methods. However, the current radiographic techniques used to determine the degree of fusion, such as X-ray, need to be improved in accuracy and have some radiation effects. Several studies suggested that the mechanical load on the fracture area could reflect the bone healing process and evaluated the stability of fracture area. The aim of this study is to investigate the biomechanical changes in the fracture area during bone healing and IMN, and to prepare for the subsequent placement of intelligent stress and displacement sensors based on the changes in stress and displacement, in order to provide guidance for the treatment and rehabilitation of postoperative fractures.MethodsFinite element (FE) models representing different healing stages of tibial fractures were developed. All conditions were applied to simulate the stress and strain of the IMN fixation system under normal tibial stress.ResultsThe stress at the fracture area on the IMN gradually decreases, while the stress on the callus gradually increases until reaching a stable state at the 12th week after surgery. And the deformation value and the displacement value of the callus decrease and stabilize over time. Based on the changes in stress at the fracture area of the IMN and the displacement value of the callus, we can place a stress sensor at the fracture area of the IMN and a displacement sensor at the callus area.ConclusionThis study utilized FE analysis to evaluate stress, deformation and displacement between the IMN and bone during the healing process of tibial fractures in four stages. By combining these aspects, the degree of bone healing can be assessed. This research enables orthopedic doctors to monitor the progression of fracture healing without relying solely on imaging examinations. Furthermore, it aids in guiding patients to undergo appropriate rehabilitation training for better recovery.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1532207/fullintramedullary nailsSTRESS valuedeformation valuedisplacement valuesensorfinite element analysis |
| spellingShingle | Ke-Rui Zhang Bin Luo Ju Tu Ya-Qin Li Jun Wen Chang-Yong Shen Xue-Hai Jia Yi Deng Li-Tai Ma Yi Yang A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology intramedullary nails STRESS value deformation value displacement value sensor finite element analysis |
| title | A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| title_full | A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| title_fullStr | A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| title_short | A finite element study for tibial fractures: analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| title_sort | finite element study for tibial fractures analyze the biomechanical condition of the tibial fracture area to provide guidance for subsequent treatment |
| topic | intramedullary nails STRESS value deformation value displacement value sensor finite element analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1532207/full |
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