Analysis of Biomechanical Characteristics of External Fixators with Steel and Composite Frames during Anterior–Posterior Bending

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the biomechanical characteristics of an external fixator with a frame made of two different materials (stainless steel and composite material) during anterior–posterior bending. Before the test itself, two representative configurations of the Sarafix fixator were selected for application on the lower leg and upper extremities under the designations B50 and C50, which are most widely used in orthopedic practice. The examination of the biomechanical characteristics of the external fixator was carried out using the structural analysis of the construction performance of the Sarafix fixator using the finite element method, the results of which were verified through experimental tests. The developed experimental and FEM models study the movement of the fracture crack and enable the determination of the stiffness of structural designs as well as the control of the generated stresses at the characteristic locations of the fixator. The results show that the fixator with a carbon frame has lower stresses at critical points in the construction compared to the fixator with a steel frame, in the amount of up to 49% (at the measuring point MT+) or up to 46% (at the measuring point MT−) for both fixture test configurations. The fixator with a carbon frame has greater displacements at the fracture site compared to the fixator with a steel frame, in the amount of up to 45% (for configuration B50) or up to 31% (for configuration C50). The stiffness of the structure for both test configurations of the fixator is lower in the fixator with a carbon frame compared to the fixator with a steel frame by up to 27%. Based on the findings of this study, we can conclude that a fixator with a steel frame has better biomechanical characteristics compared to a carbon frame.