Biomechanical behavior of the tibiofibular frame in nonunion

In this paper an in vitro investigation of the biomechanical behavior of the tibiofibular frame in nonunion using electrical extensometry is presented. The intact and untreated nonunited frames are studied as well as three surgical treatments classically used in nonunion: the plating technique, the onlay graft technique and the external fixation according to Ilizarov. The monopodal position with extended knee is considered, and particular attention is paid to the different muscle insertions. The results for the plating and onlay grafting techniques resemble those for the intact frame, whereas the Ilizarov external fixator increases the overall rigidity of the frame. In the untreated nonunited tibiofibular frame, an inversion of the tension and compression areas at the level of the tibia was found. We hypothesize that this phenomenon could be one of the mechanical factors leading to nonunion. Indeed, cyclic stresses in the fracture callus might prevent bony fusion, for the areas healing under compression stresses must become tension areas once the tibia is healed and vice versa.