Evaluation of fixation after plating of distal radius fractures - a validation study

Abstract

We used five fresh-frozen cadavers with 10 upper limbs to evaluate by finite element analysis (FEA) the plate fixation of distal radius fractures. The distal radius of the cadavers was fractured using a comminution fracture model. Plate fixation was performed using Synthes VATCP. Compression tests were performed on these specimens and force displacement curves were obtained. FEA was performed using Mechanical Finder. The Keyak, Keller vertebra, Carter, and Matsuyama conversion equations without contact analysis, and the Matsuyama equations with contact analysis, were used for the boundary conditions. We found strong positive correlations with the Matsuyama conversion equations either with or without contact analysis. The validated FEA model will be used for preoperative simulation of actual fractures.

Keywords:

• Distal radius fracture
• plate fixation
• finite element analysis
• validation study
• conversion equations

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Mr. Naoki Hara for advice on using Mechanical Finder. I wish to thank Mr. Burr, David B for writing assistance.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical approval details (if required)

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Ethics Committee of Chiba University Graduate School

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.