Personalized orthopedic trauma surgery by applied clinical mechanics

Abstract

In this study, the concept of applied clinical mechanics is used to present first steps in the direction of personalized orthopedic trauma surgery. As example process, a complex distal tibia fracture treated with an implant is chosen. Based on an automated workflow, routinely acquired tomographic data is segmented, assigned with material parameters and extended to an adaptive volume-mesh with hanging nodes. For the finite element simulations, this bone-implant system is equipped with realistic axial loading conditions. An optimization algorithm is then used to analyze the amount of fracture healing that will provide a full weight bearing capacity of the injured extremity in combination with the implant.