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Mechanical Engineering ETDs
Publication Date
11-17-2008
Abstract
This study compares the pattern of failure of locking compression plates (LCP) and intramedullary nails (IM) used in treatment of unstable comminuted distal femur fractures in osteoporotic and normal bones. Possible late failure of the fixation represents a critical problem in the treatment of distal femur fractures. Few biomechanical studies have examined the effects of osteoporosis on stability of the bone after fixation. Some reports have described catastrophic failure of fixation when LCP were used compared with IM nails making salvage procedures difficult. This thesis reports on the behavior of synthetic composite bone and embalmed cadaveric bone with and without osteoporosis, fixed with LCP or IM nails and subjected to axial, shear and bending stresses. We also present a finite element (FE) model simulating the mechanical behavior of bones with distal femur fractures after fixation with LCP and IM nail. The proposed model is validated using experimental data. The FE model can be used to explain the reason for failure of the distal femur fracture fixation by comparing the max stresses generated in the femur under combined loading conditions to the femur strength. Both experimental and numerical methods proved that distal femur fixation with LCP is more prone to damage propagation and sudden failure compared with IM fixation.
Degree Name
Mechanical Engineering
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Mechanical Engineering
First Committee Member (Chair)
Mahmoud Reda Taha
Second Committee Member
Thomas DeCoster
Third Committee Member
Yu-Lin Shen
Sponsors
Stryker Orthopaedics, the University of New Mexico Department of Orthopaedics
Document Type
Thesis
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Salas, Christina. "A Biomechanical Comparison of Locking Plates Contrasted with Intramedullary Treatment of Distal Femur Fracture." (2008). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/me_etds/260