Biomechanical effects of three different configurations in Salter Harris type 3 distal femoral epiphyseal fractures

Abstract

In this study, the biomechanical effects of three different configurations (K-wire, stainless steel screws, and titanium screws), which are used for stabilizing Salter-Harris (SH) type 3 epiphyseal fracture of distal femur after reduction process, on the epiphyseal plate and fracture line have been investigated under axial, rotational, and bending forces to determine the most advantageous configuration. Three different configurations have been modeled using SolidWorks, and computer-aided numerical analyses were performed by finite-element analysis software. For each configuration, mesh process, boundary conditions, and material model have been applied in finite-element analysis software. In addition, von Mises stress values on growth of epiphyseal plate and K-wire have been calculated. According to the results obtained, it has been found particularly advantageous to use the fixation shape of configuration with screw. In addition, the fixation shape of K-wire configuration was found to be disadvantageous in the SH type 3 epiphyseal fractures.