Finite element analysis of femoral neck system in the treatment of Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture.

Abstract

The optimal treatment strategy for femoral neck fractures remained controversial, especially the Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture of young patients was a challenge. Femoral neck system (FNS) was a newly developed internal fixation for treating femoral neck fracture and this study aimed to compare the biomechanical advantages and disadvantages between FNS and 3 cannulated configuration screws (CCS) with or without an additional medial buttress plate (MBP). In this study, Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture model with an angle of 70° was constructed and 3 different fixation models, FNS, CCS + MBP, CCS alone, were developed. A vertical force of 2100N was applied on the femoral head, then the maximum von Mises stress of whole model, distal femur, femoral head, and internal fixation was recorded, as well as the stress distribution of whole model, proximal fracture section, and internal fixation of the 3 models. Moreover, the maximum displacement of the whole model, distal femur, femoral head, internal fixation, and the relative displacement of the proximal and distal portion was also compared. The maximum von Mises stress value was 318.302 MPa in FNS, 485.226 MPa in CCS + 1/3 plate, and 425.889 MPa in CCS. The FNS showed lowest maximum von Mises stress values in distal part, femoral head, and internal implant. All fixation configurations were observed stress concentrated at the posteroinferior area of cross-section of femoral head and at the fracture section area of implant; however, FNS had more uniform stress distribution. For displacement, the maximum displacement value was 8.5446 mm in FNS, 8.2863 mm in CCS + 1/3 plate, and 8.3590 mm in CCS. However, FNS had higher maximum displacement in femoral head and internal implant, but lower maximum displacement in the distal part of fracture model. The FNS represented a significantly higher relative displacement between the femoral head and distal femur when compared with the other 2 fixation configurations. The newly developed FNS could achieve the dual effect of angular stability and sliding compression for the treatment of Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures, which provided superior biomechanical stability than CCS alone and CCS with additional MBP.