title: An interspecies computational study on limb lengthening.
abstract: Distraction osteogenesis is a surgical technique that produces large volumes of new bone by gradually separating two osteotomized bone segments. A previously proposed mechanical-based model that includes the effect of pre-traction stresses (stress level in the gap tissue before each distraction step) during limb lengthening is used here. In the present work, the spatial and temporal patterns of tissue distribution during distraction osteogenesis in different species (sheep, rabbit) and in the human are compared numerically to predict experimental results. Interspecies differential characteristics such as size, distraction protocol, and rate of distraction, among others, are chosen according to experiments. Tissue distributions and reaction forces are then analysed as indicators of the healing pattern. The results obtained are in agreement with experimental findings regarding both tissue distribution and reaction forces. The ability of the model to qualitatively predict the two animal models and the human healing pattern in distraction osteogenesis indicates its potential in understanding the influence of mechanics in this complex process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Seville, 41092-Seville, Spain. erreina@us.es
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reina-Romo
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gómez-Benito
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Aznar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doblaré
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery