Effect of composite bone plates on callus generation and healing of fractured tibia with different screw configurations

Abstract

In this paper, finite element analysis of a fractured tibia with a glass/polypropylene composite implant is introduced. A rejection coefficient algorithm (for callus development) that is sensitive to interfragmentary movement is programmed, calibrated (using experimental in vivo statistics), and successfully implemented on a 3D fractured tibia model. A biphasic mechano-regulation algorithm is implemented to verify healing status under five different screw configurations (C1-C5) using glass/polypropylene composite bone plates and the development of tissue phenotypes in calluses is estimated. A 300% increase in circumferential callus volume is obtained when using the composite bone plate. Furthermore, the C5 configuration of the composite bone plate results in a maximum interfragmentary movement of 4.33% on day one with faster and stronger healing through 95% of bone growth during the final day of healing.