title: Combined finite element and multibody musculoskeletal investigation of a fractured clavicle with reconstruction plate.
abstract: This paper addresses the evaluation of clavicle fixation devices, by means of computational models. The aim was to develop a method for comparison of stress distribution in various fixation devices, to determine whether the use of multibody musculoskeletal input in such model is applicable and to report the approach. The focus was on realistic loading and the motivation for the work is that the treatment can be enhanced by a better understanding of the loading of the clavicle and fixation device. The method can be used to confirm the strength of customised plates, for optimisation of new plates and to complement experimental studies. A finite element (FE) mesh of the clavicle geometry was created from computed tomography data and imported into the FE solver where the model was subjected to muscle forces and other boundary conditions from a multibody musculoskeletal model performing a typical activity of daily life. A reconstruction plate and screws were also imported into the model. The combination models returned stresses and displacements of plausible magnitudes in all included parts and the result, upon further development and validation, may serve as a design guideline for improved clavicle fixation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Technology and Sustainable Development , Mid Sweden University , 83125 Östersund , Sweden.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cronskär
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinnsten
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: bone plate; clavicle; finite element analysis; multibody simulation