Intramedullary locked nail for thumb fractures using finite elements. (13th August 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Contreras, G.; Cerrolaza, M.; Gonzalez-Fuentes, C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of biomedical engineering and technology. Volume 2:Number 4(2009)
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2009-08-13
• Subjects: biomechanical testing -- intramedullary nailing -- finite element method -- FEM -- metacarpal fracture treatment -- thumb fractures -- modelling -- strength -- fatigue behaviour -- physiological loads; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 610.28
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-6418

Abstract

An intramedullary locked nail for metacarpal fracture treatment has been developed to provide an alternative for standard surgical techniques. It is minimally invasive allowing early post-operative hand movement. A 3D finite-element model was generated. Special attention was focused on the modelling of the thumb. Biomechanical testing and finite-element analyses were performed to determine the ultimate strength and the fatigue behaviour under physiological loads. The FEM was generated from the geometrical model of the nail-metacarpal assembly. Slight differences were observed when different materials were used. No critical stress were found for the 'in vivo simulation'. The system shows a sufficient strength.