Numerical simulation research to both the external fixation surgery scheme of intertrochanteric fracture and the healing process,and its clinical application

Abstract

In this paper, the single arm external fixation of intertrochanteric fracture healing process after surgery was simulated to obtain a postoperative fracture healing and stress distribution in the external fixator. Firstly CT images of intertrochanteric fracture are reconstructed into the femur solid model. Then based, the external fixator is installed on the model, which lastly formed a finite element model of unilateral external fixation for intertrochanteric fracture. The calculated results show: during the beginning of the fracture healing, there is much higher stress in both screws and femur in the model with solid screws than that in the model with hollow screw. The stress of the femur in the model with hollow screw is more evenly. During the middle time of Fracture healing, stress in the femoral head significantly decreases. And the stress at fracture site gradually increased with the healing occurrence. According to the results, the authors designed hollow screws to use external fixation surgery. Surgery confirmed that the use of hollow screws in fractures treatment can satisfy the strength requirements, and can effectively reduce operative time, less patient suffering. The research for external fixation can provide a reference, and promote the use of external fixation hollow screws.