Numerical Stress Analysis of the Plates Used to Treat the Tibia Bone Fracture

M. O. Kaman^*, N. Celik, S. Karakuzu

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.

DOI: 10.4236/jamp.2014.26036                

Abstract

Tibial fractures are one of the most frequent bone fractures caused by accidents or falls because of the tibia’s slender shape. In the tibial fractures close to the joint surface, a plate and screws may be the ideal method of fixation. While using the plate and the screws the estimation of the stress on the plate and screw gains importance before beginning the treatment. In this study, it is aimed to conduct a numerical simulation which uses finite element methodology, to estimate the von Mises stress subjected to the plate and screw which is used in tibia fracture treatment. A titanium plate and 4 screws on it are used for treatment of the fracture. The fracture angle varies as 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. The compressive force affected on the plate is estimated to be 750 N. Moreover, the bone is simulated 3D, by using commercial software, ANSYS Structural.

Keywords

Tibia Fracture, Finite Element Model, ANSYS, Biomechanics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00393 (Left picture is reproduced with permission from The Body Almanac. ©American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003. Right picture is reproduced with permission from J Bernstein, ed: Musculoskeletal Medicine. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003).
[2]	Spivak, J.M., Zuckerman, J.D., Kummer, F.J. and Frankel, V.H. (1991) Fatigue Failure of the Sliding Screw in Hip Fracture Fixation: A Report of Three Cases. Journal of Orthopedic Trauma, 5, 325-331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005131-199109000-00012
[3]	Kim, H.J., Kim, S.H. and Chang, S.H. (2011) Bio-Mechanical Analysis of a Fractured Tibia with Composite Bone Plates According to the Diaphyseal Oblique Fracture Angle. Composites: Part B, 42, 666-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.02.009
[4]	Kim, S.H., Chang, S.H. and Son, D.S. (2011) Finite Element Analysis of the Effect of Bending Stiffness and Contact Condition of Composite Bone Plates with Simple Rectangular Cross-Section on the Bio-Mechanical Behavior of Fractured Long Bones. Composites: Part B, 42, 1731-1738. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.03.001
[5]	Wong, C., Mikkelsen, P., Hansen, L.B., Darvann, T. and Gebuhr, P. (2010) Finite Element Analysis of Tibial Fractures. Danish Medical Bulletin, 57, 1-4.
[6]	Kim, S.H., Chang, S.H. and Jung, H.J. (2010) The Finite Element Analysis of a Fractured Tibia Applied by Composite Bone Plates Considering Contact Conditions and Time-Varying Properties of Curing Tissues. Composite Structures, 92, 2109-2118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2009.09.051
[7]	Aizat, R.M., Kadir, M.R.A., Rahman, S.A., Shihabudin, T.M.T.M., Robson, N. and Kamarul, T. (2013) Biomechanical Comparative Analyses between the Anterolateral and Medial Distal Tibia Locking Plates in Treating Complex Distal Tibial Fracture: A Finite Element Study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Health Informatics, 3, 532-537. http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/jmihi.2013.1194
[8]	Degirmenci, G. (2005) Investigation of the Effect of Implants Used in Extremity Fractures on Movement Restrictions. Master in Science Thesis, Natural Science Institute of Uludag University, Turkey.
[9]	Yildiz, H. and Erden, S. (2001) An Advanced Structural Design for Bone Plate. Proceedings of 18th International Society of Biomechanics Congress, Zurich, Switzerland, 8-13 July 2001.
[10]	http://orthopedics.about.com/od/brokenbones/a/tibia.htm updated on February 2nd, 2014.