A novel strain-based bone-fracture healing algorithm is able to predict a range of healing outcomes
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Morgan, George
Low, Lucas
Ramasamy, Arul
Masouros, Spyros
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fracture healing is a complex process which sometimes results in non-unions, leading to prolonged disability and high morbidity. Traditional methods of optimising fracture treatments, such as in vitro benchtop testing and in vivo randomised controlled trials, face limitations, particularly in evaluating the entire healing process. This study introduces a novel, strain-based fracture-healing algorithm designed to predict a wide range of healing outcomes, including both successful unions and non-unions. The algorithm uses principal strains as mechanical stimuli to simulate fracture healing in response to local mechanical environments within the callus region. The model demonstrates good agreement with experimental data from ovine metatarsal osteotomies across six fracture cases with varying gap widths and inter-fragmentary strains, replicates physiological bony growth patterns, and is independent of the initial callus geometry. This computational approach provides a framework for developing new fracture-fixation devices, aid in pre-surgical planning, and optimise rehabilitation strategies.
Date Issued
2024-10-18
Date Acceptance
2024-10-09
Citation
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2024, 12
ISSN
2296-4185
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Volume
12
Copyright Statement
© 2024 Morgan, Low, Ramasamy and
Masouros. This is an open-access article
distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use,
distribution or reproduction in other forums is
permitted, provided the original author(s) and
the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the
original publication in this journal is cited, in
accordance with accepted academic practice.
No use, distribution or reproduction is
permitted which does not comply with these
terms
Masouros. This is an open-access article
distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use,
distribution or reproduction in other forums is
permitted, provided the original author(s) and
the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the
original publication in this journal is cited, in
accordance with accepted academic practice.
No use, distribution or reproduction is
permitted which does not comply with these
terms
License URL
Identifier
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1477405/full
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1477405
Date Publish Online
2024-10-18