Loads acting in an intramedullary nail during fracture healing in the human femur

Abstract

The form and function of the musculo-skeletal system is closely related to the forces acting in its components. Significant forces are present in the long bones, but their magnitudes have so far only been estimated from mathematical models. Fracture fixation by means of metal implants provides an opportunity to measure the implant-born forces and to estimate the long bone forces before healing occurs. The load changes during fracture healing may provide additional information. Therefore, a telemetrized, interlocking femoral nail for wireless transmission of forces and moments acting across the fracture site was developed. The design was based on the geometry and material of a 16 mm AO nail with a circular, closed cross-section allowing full protection of the electronic circuits from the body fluids. After careful testing, it was implanted in a 33-year-old patient who had sustained a multifragmentary fracture of the left femur. Measurements at a rate of approx. 0.4 Hz were performed in different patient postures between the 2nd and 26th postoperative week. Significant axial forces and bending moments were measured during several activities such as sitting, unsupported leg elevation and partial weight bearing in a standing position. Forces orthogonal to the nail axis remained small. The reductions of the implant loads due to fracture consolidation were in the order of 50%. Dynamization of the nail did not change the forces. Even though the telemetry system did not allow for dynamic measurements and the results presented here provide data from one subject only, the new information will be useful with respect to implant design, biomechanics of fracture fixation and evaluation of healing progression.