• Ming Ni, Wenxin Niu, Duo Wai-Chi Wong, Wei Zeng, Jiong Mei, and Ming Zhang.
• Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Pudong New Area People's Hospital, Shanghai 201299, China; Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
• Injury. 2016 Aug 1; 47 (8): 1618-23.

BackgroundBoth plate and intramedullary nail fixations, including straight and anatomic nails, have been clinically adopted for the treatment of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures. However, the biomechanical performances of these fixations and implants have not been well evaluated. This study aims to compare the construct stability, stress distribution and fracture micro-motion of three fixations based on finite element (FE) method.MethodsThe FE model of clavicle was reconstructed from CT images of a male volunteer. A mid-shaft fracture gap was created in the intact clavicle. Three fixation styles were simulated including locking plate (LP), anatomic intramedullary nail (CRx), and straight intramedullary nail (RCP). Two loading scenarios (axial compression and inferior bending) were applied at the distal end of the clavicle to simulate arm abduction, while the sternal end was fixed.ResultsUnder both conditions, the LP was the stiffest, followed by the CRx, and the RCP was the weakest. LP also displayed a more evenly stress distribution for both implant and bone. RCP had a higher stress compared with CRx in both conditions. Moreover, all implants sustained higher stress level under the loading condition of bending than compression.ConclusionsThe plate fixation significantly stabilizes the fracture gap, reduces the implant stress, and serves as the recommended fixation for the mid-shaft clavicle fracture. The CRx is an alternative device to treat clavicle shaft fracture, but the shoulder excessive activities should be avoided after operation.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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