Open AccessESTIMATION OF THE OPTIMAL FIBULAR GRAFT ANGLE FOR PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURES USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Jin Woong Yi,
Jong Un Kim,
Jin Hai Hyun,
JinBok Yi,
Ki-Sik Tae
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of mechanics in medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.236
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1793-6810
pISSN - 0219-5194
DOI - 10.1142/s0219519420400291
Subject(s) - von mises yield criterion , finite element method , stiffness , orthodontics , internal fixation , structural engineering , fracture (geology) , materials science , mathematics , medicine , surgery , engineering , composite material
Proximal humerus fracture is a common injury and is usually treated using an internal fixation. However, clinical studies have reported that such treatments are associated with problems such as varus deformity and screw penetration. Therefore, to solve these problems, a surgical method using fibular allografts (FAs) is recently reported. Thus, this study is aimed to confirm the effective insertion angle ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) of the FA. We applied axial and shear loads to finite element models used in our study. Finite element simulations using these models were repeated five times for each fibular insertion angle. We evaluated the construct stiffness, stress distribution on the plate and fibula, and fracture micromotion. Results showed that the method using the FA caused less stress on the plate and provided higher structural stability than the method without using the FA. In particular, the axis perpendicular condition yielded significantly greater construct stiffness and caused less von Mises stresses than the other conditions. In conclusion, the finite element analysis results showed that the FA inserted horizontally was effective in the treatment of proximal humerus fracture with an unstable medial support.