Biomechanical Analysis of Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Injury Fixation Methods: A Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

The optimal treatment strategy after syndesmotic injuries is still controversial. In our study, we aimed to evaluate ideal fixation method in syndesmotic injury by using finite element analysis method. A 3D SolidWorks model file was created by taking computed tomography (CT) images of the area from the right foot base to the knee joint level of a healthy adult male. The intact model, injury model, and 8 different fixation models were created that 3.5 mm screw and suture-button were used in. The models were compared in terms of lateral fibular translation, posterior fibular translation and external rotation of fibula compared to tibia and stress values occurred on screws and suture-buttons. In the hybrid-1 model, lateral fibular translation and external fibular rotation values were obtained as close to the intact model. Von Mises stresses occurred in the screw (435.7 MPa) and suture-button (424.7 MPa) that used in hybrid-1 model was more than single screw at 4 cm model (316.8 MPa) and single suture-button at 2 cm model (160.7 MPa). In the Hybrid-1 model, the screw compensates for posterior fibular translation and external fibular rotation, while the suture-button compensates for lateral fibular translation. Also, the effect of the distal suture-button preventing diastasis in case of proximal screw failure, it was concluded that the hybrid-1 model can be used as a good treatment alternative in the surgical treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries.