title: Mechanical performance of external fixators with wires for the treatment of bone fractures--Part I: Load-displacement behavior.
abstract: Using matrix algebra, a mathematical model is formulated for a particular type of external fixator with wires (system developed by Ilizarov) for the treatment of bone fractures. The mathematical model is used to give a linear estimate of the stiffness under lateral and axial loads in a representative number of practical conditions. Relative displacements of the bone ends at the fracture site are calculated not only in the common case of a gap, but also for various angles of inclined sliding contact; in this case, a realistic load is applied and nonlinear stiffening of the wires under transversal loads is iteratively taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Torino, Italia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delprete
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gola
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000592:standards*; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000502:physiology; D003187:Compliance; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards*; D016267:External Fixators / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008422:Materials Testing; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016474:Weight-Bearing