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Updated: May 11, 2026
Establishment of a Segmental Femoral Critical-size Defect Model in Mice Stabilized by Plate Osteosynthesis
Published on: October 12, 2016
A finite element analysis of bone plates available for prophylactic internal fixation of the radial osteocutaneous
C M E Avery1, Péter Bujtár, János Simonovics
1University Hospitals of Leicester, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Leicester, United Kingdom. chrisavery@doctors.org.uk
Introduction:
The strengthening effect of prophylactic internal fixation (PIF) with a bone plate at the radial osteocutaneous flap donor site has previously been demonstrated using the sheep tibia model of the human radius. This study investigated whether a finite element (FE) model could accurately represent this biomechanical model and whether stress or strain based failure criteria are most appropriate.
Methods:
An FE model of an osteotomised sheep tibia bone was strengthened using 4 types of plates with unilocking or bicortical screw fixation. Torsion and 4-point bending simulations were performed. The maximum von Mises stresses and strain failure criteria were studied.
Results:
The strengthening effects when applying stress failure criteria [factor 1.76-4.57 bending and 1.33-1.80 torsion] were comparable to the sheep biomechanical model [factor 1.73-2.43 bending and 1.54-2.63 torsion]. The strongest construct was the straight 3.5mm stainless steel unilocking plate. Applying strain criteria the strongest construct was the straight 3.5mm stainless DCP plate with bicortical screw fixation.
Conclusions:
The FE model was validated by comparison with the sheep tibia model. The complex biomechanics at the bone-screw interface require further investigation. This FE modelling technique may be applied to a model of the human radius and other sites.
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