PMID: 3319415Jan 1, 1987Paper

Stiffness in healing fractures

Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering
J Richards

Abstract

Methods are available for direct measurement of stiffness in fracture healing. The methods are generally dissimilar in their technique and in some cases the applied assumptions are contrary to the principles of basic mechanics. External fixation provides the potential for direct measurement of fragment end movement, and techniques associated with this type of treatment have been applied in Belgium on more than 500 patients. These results are generally presented as decreases in flexure of the fixator bar due to constant loading, representative of increases in fracture stiffness. The same procedure is adopted to internal fixation plates and also direct strain gauge application to the healing bone--there are obvious complications due to electrical connections in the latter case. The biomedical changes occurring during healing are illustrated by the work at Cardiff where a biphase characteristic has been identified. The method used has the disadvantage in requiring the removal of the fixator for the application of the stiffness sensor recording deflection and rotation. The advantages of the technique include the more precise modeling of the bending characteristic of the tibia (the results refer to this particular skeletal element)....Continue Reading

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