Analysis of the fatigue behaviour characterized by stiffness and permanent deformation for different distal volar radius compression plates

Fractures of the distal radius are with 10% the most frequent fractures of the human skeleton. In order to stabilize the fracture which is essential for succesful bone-healing, distal volar compression using dorsal compression plates is often used. Among the most important, but until now sparsely investigated criteria for implant-quality is the fatigue behaviour of the system of radius and stabilizing implant. Several types of implants were tested in combination with synthetic bones in the fatigue regime. The fatigue behaviour of samples was characterized using the parameters stiffness, tilting angle and reduction of the fracture gap which can be expressed by the permanent deformation of the system. The study of the evolution of these properties allows an interpretation of the mechanisms governing fatigue. Thus, a comparison of different implant types was obtained. Results show that the geometry of the implant as well as the positioning and type of the used screws has a profound effect on the characteristics of the system.