The vibrational mode of the tibia and assessment of bone union in experimental fracture healing using the impulse response method

Abstract

This study attempts to clarify the use of the impulse response method in the assessment of fracture healing. The vibrational mode as well as the effect of simulated callus consolidation on the vibrational parameters of excised human tibia were studied. Two separate vibrations were found, one vibrating strongly in the lateral direction and the other vibrating weakly in the antero-posterior direction. The ability to identify the primary vibrational mode in the lateral direction would make the impulse response method suitable for use in clinical practice. The callus consolidation process was simulated by the sequential consolidation of an adhesive material in an experimentally produced fracture gap. The change in hardness of the epoxy was found to correlate well with the change of resonant frequency of the bone. The resonant frequency demonstrated a steady increase during the initial phase of consolidation of the adhesive, up to about 40% of its final hardness. With the addition of various constructs for fracture fixation to the in vitro model such as a plate, Ender's pins, a Russell-Taylor intramedullary nail, or an Orthofix external fixator, the relationship between the consolidation of the ‘callus’ and the change in resonant frequency of the bone was not disturbed.