Optimal time-dependent levels of weight-bearing for bone fracture healing under Ilizarov circular fixators

Abstract

It is known that weight-bearing exercises under Ilizarov circular fixators (ICF) could enhance bone fracture healing by mechano-regulation. However, interfragmentary movements at the fracture site induced by weight-bearing may inhibit angiogenesis and ultimately delay the healing process. To tackle this challenge, a computational model is presented in this study which considers the spatial and temporal changes in mechanical properties of fracture callus to predict optimal levels of weight-bearing during fracture healing under ICF. The study takes sheep fractures as example and shows that the developed model has the capability of predicting patient specific, time-dependent optimal levels of w..