title: A finite element analysis of the effect of pin distribution on the rigidity of a unilateral external fixation system.
abstract: The effect of pin distribution on the rigidity of a unilateral external fixation system has been investigated using finite element techniques. The results show that spreading the pins out along the entire length of the bone is more stable than grouping the pins in clusters as is customary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Oni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capper
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soutis
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails; D016267:External Fixators; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics