Coupling biomechanical models of implants with biodegradation models: A case study for biodegradable mandibular bone...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Computational Modeling
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Biodegradable implants offer an alternative to traditional materials, avoiding secondary removal surgeries.
• Magnesium alloys are promising for biodegradable orthopedic applications due to their mechanical properties and resorption rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an in silico strategy for designing biodegradable mandibular fixation plates made from WE43 magnesium alloy.
• To investigate the influence of material degradation and screw fixation on implant mechanical behavior during bone healing.

Main Methods:

• An integrated computational model combining biodegradation simulation, physiological loading estimation, and mechanical behavior analysis.
• Sensitivity analysis and testing of various clinical scenarios, including different numbers of screw holes.

Main Results:

• Reduced initial strength and accelerated degradation were observed with more open screw holes.
• Simulated degradation patterns align with existing in vivo study findings for biodegradable plates.
• The computational strategy successfully predicted mechanical performance influenced by degradation.

Conclusions:

• The developed in silico strategy enables the design of patient-specific biodegradable fixation implants.
• This approach allows for tuning implant mechanical behavior to match the bone regeneration process.
• This method can optimize the design of biodegradable implants for fracture fixation.