[Investigation on biomechanics behavior using three-dimensional finite element analysis for femur shaft fracture...

Based on the CT data and the structure characteristics of the femoral fractures during different healing stages, medical FE models of fractured femur treated with locking compression plate (LCP)were built. Under the physiological load of a standard body weight (70 kg) and the constraint condition, the stress distributions of LCP and fractured femur during healing were calculated by means of three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA). The results showed that the stress distribution in the LCP and the fractured femur was similar, during the initial stage which there was no newly formed bone or soft tissue in fracture site. The maximum von Mises stress (371.23,272.76 MPa) in the fractured femur was much higher than that in natural femur, and the intensive stress was concentrated mainly in the proximal area of the fractured femur. With the growth of bony callus bone in fracture site, the intensity of stress in proximal femur decreased. Contrasted to the two cases mentioned above, the value of the maximum von Mises stress (68. 17 MPa) in bony callus bone stage decreased significantly, and was lower than the safe strength of natural bone. Therefore, appropriate training which is benefitial for the growth to new bone could be arranged for the better rehabilitation.