| The objective of this study was to compare specific parameters of various devices used for fracture fixation in order to provide clinical support for the fixation of spiral tibial fractures. Two three-dimensional finite element models were developed, based upon normal tibial geometry, that examined various aspects of interlocking intramedullary nailing and compression plate fixation under normal physiological loading. The first study compared stainless steel and Ti-6Al-4V for use in interlocking nailing and determined that the Ti-alloy was preferable because it allowed the bone to take on more stress during loading. The second model compared compression plate fixation with interlocking nailing throughout several stages of healing of a tibial spiral fracture and determined that, although the compression plate provided better stabilization during the initial stages of healing, the intramedullary rod provided the best long-term healing due to the residual stress protection at full healing with plate fixation. |
