title: Relative stiffness, transverse displacement and dynamization in comparable external fixators.
abstract: Several unilateral external fixators were laboratory tested under applied axial, bending, and torsional loads. In certain cases the shear movement at the fracture site was substantial, up to 4 mm, and in all cases it was as significant as axial displacement. Also, under average full weight bearing, all the fixator/bone screw frameworks will allow too much axial movement at the fracture. This could inhibit healing and cause peak bone and screw stresses to approach yield.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evans