Biomechanical comparison of four different posterior malleolus fixation techniques: A finite element analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical behavior of four fixation methods for posterior malleolar fracture (PMF) by finite element analysis (FEM).

Methods: Four internal fixation techniques used for fixation of PMF were assessed by FEM - a computational study: posterior one-third tubular 3.5 mm buttress plate (PP) with one screw (PP 1 screw), PP with two screws (PP 2 screws), two cannulated 3.5 mm lag screws in the antero-posterior (AP) direction (AP lag screws), and two postero-anterior (PA) cannulated 3.5 mm lag screws (PA lag screws). PMF with 30% and 50% fragment sizes were simulated through computational processing reconstructed from computed tomography (CT). The simulated loads of 700 N and 1500 N were applied to the proximal tibial end. The FEM evaluated the total and localized displacements of the PMF. For the analysis of stresses, the variables maximum principal (traction) and minimum principal (compression) were used. For the metallic implants, the equivalent von Mises stress (VMS) was used.

Results: PA lag screw showed the lowest values for total and localized displacement, minimum and maximum total stress, and VMS in both physiological conditions and sizes of posterior malleolus involvement. The localized displacement was statistically lower for lag screws compared to PP techniques at 700 N (p < 0.05) and 1200 N (p < 0.05). The maximum total stress was statistically lower for PA lag screws compared to PP 1 fixation with 700 N (p = 0.03) and 1200 N (p = 0.039).

Conclusion: PA lag screws yield better results in terms of total and localized displacement, minimum and maximum total stress, and VMS in both physiological conditions and sizes of posterior malleolus involvement. These results demonstrate that PA lag screws are biomechanically the most efficient technique for the fixation of PMF.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Finite element analysis; Internal fixations; Posterior malleolar fracture.