The Role of Physiological Loading on Bone Fracture Healing Under Ilizarov Circular Fixator: The Effects of Load Duration and Loading Frequency

Abstract

One of the main advantages of Ilizarov Circular Fixator (ICF) is that it enables early weight bearing, which is beneficial for patients’ mobility. In addition, it is believed that early weight bearing could lead to faster and stronger fracture callus development and thus, enhance healing progression. Therefore, it is important that the early weight bearing exercises (e.g. walking) are carefully designed for the best possible conditions within the fracture site during the crucial early stage of healing. In this study, using a computational model, we explored the influence of (i) duration and (ii) frequency of dynamic loading under ICF (resulting from early weight bearing exercises), on the ea..