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Abstract: In previous work by Fouad (Medical Engineering and Physics 2010 ), 3D finite element (FE) models for fractured bones with function-graded (FG) bone-plates and traditional bone-plates made of stainless steel (SS) and titanium (Ti) alloy were examined under compressive loading conditions using the ABAQUS Code. In this study, the effects of the presence of the torsional load in addition to the compressive load on the predicted stresses of the fracture fixation bone-plate system are examined at different healing stages. The effects on the stress on the fracture site when using contacted and non-contacted bone-plate systems are also studied. The FE modelling results indicate that the torsional load has significant effects on the resultant stress on the fracture fixation bone-plate system, which should be taken into consideration during the design and the analysis. The results also show that the stress shielding at the fracture site decreases significantly when using FG bone-plates compared to Ti alloy or SS bone-plates. The presence of a gap between the bone and the plate results in a remarkable reduction in bone stress shielding at the fracture site. Therefore, the significant effects of using an FG bone-plate with a gap and the presence of torsional load on the resultant stress on the fracture fixation bone-plate system should be taken into consideration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, 3D finite element models for fractured bones with function-graded (FG) bone-plates and traditional bone-plates made of stainless steel (SS) or titanium (Ti) alloy are generated using the ABAOUS code. The predicted Von Mises stresses at the fracture site and underlying bone-plate are examined at different healing stages. The effects on the predicted Von Mises stresses at the fracture site of the presence of a gap between the plate and fractured bone are also studied. Based on the analytical results, it is found that the stress shielding at the fracture site at the fully healed stages decreases when using FG bone-plates compared to Ti alloy or SS bone-plates. In the initial healing stages, the Von Mises stresses at the fracture site increase (stress shielding decreases) by 17% and 11% when using FG bone-plates as compared to SS bone-plates for contacted and non-contacted bone-plate system, respectively. The significant effects of using an FG bone-plate with a gap on the resultant Von Mises stresses on the bone underneath the plate and on the bone stress shielding should be taken into consideration during fractured bone fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]