A compliant fracture fixation plate for controlled axial motion in long bone healing

In this work, we introduce a novel compliant fracture fixation plate capable of delivering controlled axial micromotion to a diaphyseal fracture. When an appropriate amount of interfragmentary strain is achieved, this micromotion is known to facilitate secondary healing by callus formation. The proposed single-piece designs leverage mechanical compliance to achieve motion, eliminating friction, wear, and detailed assembly inherent to other multi-component concepts. 3-dimensional simulations are carried out under offset axial loading. Initial finite element analysis results suggest that flexure-based compliant plates can achieve increased magnitude and symmetry of axial interfragmentary strain, even when constructed of stainless steel, a surgeon-preferred material that traditionally may be too stiff to promote callus formation.