A software simulation of tibial fracture reduction with external fixator

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Circular external fixators are preferred in orthopaedics over plaster casts.
• Current bone fracture realignment using fluoroscopy leads to prolonged radiation exposure for patients and surgeons.
• Developing computer-controlled external fixators requires precise geometrical definition of manual reduction trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To overcome the challenge of transferring empirical surgical knowledge into a computer-controlled system.
• To define a common ground for surgeons and engineers to analyze and develop algorithms for fracture reduction.
• To create a simulation tool for visualizing and defining manual reduction trajectories in orthopaedic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Development of a simulation program named S.E.R.F. (Simulation Environment of a Robotic Fixator).
• Utilizing a powerful graphic output within the simulation environment.
• Enabling visualization of the entire reduction trajectory from multiple spatial viewpoints.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a simulation program (S.E.R.F.) to model manual reduction trajectories.
• The S.E.R.F. program provides comprehensive 3D visualization capabilities.
• Facilitated the definition of an empirical algorithm for suggesting correction trajectories in fracture realignment.

Conclusions:

• The S.E.R.F. simulation tool effectively addresses the techno-clinical information exchange gap.
• This simulation approach is valuable for developing computer-controlled orthopaedic devices.
• Visualizing reduction trajectories aids in defining algorithms for robotic-assisted fracture treatment.