Mechanical effects of sagittal variations on Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures treated with Femoral Neck System(FNS).

BACKGROUND: The spatial position of internal fixation play a role in determining the stability of internal fixations, both in clinical practice and research. Researchers have examined the stability of FNS (Femoral neck system) in the presence of coronal plane changes. In our knowledge, due to the biomechanical limitations of the specimens, there are no mechanical studies on the sagittal variation of FNS. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical behavior of sagittal variations on Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures treated with FNS through finite element analysis. METHODS: Finite element models including Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture and FNS were reconstructed. Five fracture models(superior, central, inferior, anterior, posterior) were created in accordance with the bolt location in the sagittal plane within the femoral head. Equivalent stress, shear stress, and total deformation of each model under the same physiological load were recorded. RESULTS: According to the results, the central model exhibited the slightest stress and displacement, with the exception of the superior model. The internal fixation stress of the superior model was smaller than that of the central model. However, the maximum interfragmentary stress, total deformation and shear resistance area of the superior model was larger than that of the central model. CONCLUSIONS: Central position of FNS in the sagittal plane allowed axial compression while reducing shear stress of internal fixation and interfragmentary equivalent stress. Off-axis fixation of the femoral neck increased the strain area and total displacement of the bone, raising the risk of fixation failure. Therefore, the central placement of FNS may be a better surgical target in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

Impact of cage position on biomechanical performance of stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the biomechanical performance of various cage positions in stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion(SA LLIF). METHODS: An intact finite element model of the L3-L5 was reconstructed. The model was verified and analyzed. Through changing the position of the cage, SA LLIF was established in four directions: anterior placement(AP), middle placement(MP), posterior placement(PP), oblique placement(OP). A 400 N vertical axial pre-load was imposed on the superior surface of L3 and a 10 N/m moment was applied on the L3 superior surface along the radial direction to simulate movements of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Various biomechanical parameters were evaluated for intact and implanted models in all loading conditions, including the range of motion (ROM) and maximum stress. RESULTS: In the SA LLIF models, the ROM of L4-5 was reduced by 84.21-89.03% in flexion, 72.64-82.26% in extension, 92.5-95.85% in right and left lateral bending, and 87.22-92.77% in right and left axial rotation, respectively. Meanwhile, ROM of L3-4 was mildly increased by an average of 9.6% in all motion directions. Almost all stress peaks were increased after SA LLIF, including adjacent disc, facet joints, and endplates. MP had lower stress peaks of cage and endplates in most motion modes. In terms of the stress on facet joints and disc of the cephalad segment, MP had the smallest increment. CONCLUSION: In our study, SA LLIF risked accelerating the adjacent segment degeneration. The cage position had an influence on the distribution of endplate stress and the magnitude of facet joint stress. Compared with other positions, MP had the slightest effect on the stress in the adjacent facet joints. Meanwhile, MP seems to play an important role in reducing the risk of cage subsidence.

Biomechanical changes in the proximal femur before and after removal of femoral neck system.

BACKGROUND: As an innovative internal fixation system, FNS (femoral neck system) is increasingly being utilized by surgeons for the treatment of femoral neck fractures. At present, there have been numerous finite element analysis experiments studying the immediate stability of FNS and CSS in treating femoral neck fractures. However, there is scarce mechanical analysis available regarding the effects post internal fixation removal. This study aimed to investigate the alterations in mechanical parameters of the proximal femur before and after the removal of FNS (femoral neck system), and to assess potential distinctions in indicators following the extraction of CSS (Cannulated Screws). METHODS: A proximal femur model was reconstructed using finite element numerical techniques. The models for CSS and FNS were formulated utilizing characteristics and parametric definitions. The internal fixation was combined with a normal proximal femur model to simulate the healing state after fracture surgery. Within the framework of static analysis, consistent stress burdens were applied across the entirety of the models. The total deformation and equivalent stress of the proximal femur were recorded before and after the removal of internal fixation. RESULTS: Under the standing condition, the total deformation of the model before and after removing CSS was 0.99 mm and 1.10 mm, respectively, indicating an increase of 12%. The total deformation of the model before and after removing FNS was 0.65 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively, indicating an increase of 17%. The equivalent stress for CSS and FNS were 55.21 MPa and 250.67 MPa, respectively. The average equivalent stress on the cross-section of the femoral neck before and after removal of CSS was 7.76 MPa and 6.11 MPa, respectively. The average equivalent stress on the cross-section of the femoral neck before and after removal of FNS was 9.89 MPa and 8.79 MPa, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The retention of internal fixation may contribute to improved stability of the proximal femur. However, there still existed risks of stress concentration in internal fixation and stress shielding in the proximal femur. Compared to CSS, the removal of FNS results in larger bone tunnels and insufficient model stability. Further clinical interventions are recommended to address this issue.

Biomechanical comparison of femoral neck system and cannulated screws coupled with medial plate for treating Pauwels III femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: The femoral neck system (FNS) has been considered as a novel strategy for femoral neck fracture. The diversity of internal fixation creates difficulties in choosing an effective option for Pauwels III type femoral neck fractures. Therefore, it is significant to investigate the biomechanical effects of FNS versus conventional approaches on bones. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of FNS versus cannulated screws coupled with medial plate (CSS+MP) for the treatment of Pauwels III type femoral neck fractures. METHODS: Through three-dimensional computer software (Minics, Geomagic - Warp), the proximal femur model was rebuilt. Based on the present clinical characteristics, models of internal fixation were reconstructed in SolidWorks, including cannulated screws (CSS), medial plate (MP) and FNS. After parameter setting and meshing, boundary conditions and loads were set up for the final mechanical calculation in Ansys Software. Under identical experimental conditions, such as the same Pauwels angle and force loading, the peak values of displacement, shear stress and equivalent (von Mises) stress were recorded. RESULTS: This study showed that the displacement of the models was CSS, CSS+MP, and FNS in descending order of magnitude. The shear stress and equivalent stress of the models was CSS+MP, FNS, and CSS in descending order. The principal shear stress of CSS+MP was concentrated on the medial plate. The equivalent stress of FNS was more dispersed and distributed from the proximal main nail to the distal locking screw. CONCLUSION: CSS+MP and FNS exhibited better initial stability compared to CSS. However, the MP was subjected to more shear stress, which could increase the risk of internal fixation failure. Due to its unique design, FNS may be a good choice for the treatment of Pauwels III type femoral neck fractures.

Effect of heat moisture treatment on physicochemical and morphological properties of wheat starch and xylitol mixture.

The effect of heat moisture treatment (HMT, 100°C, 10h) on the physicochemical and morphological properties of wheat starch and xylitol mixture (SX) were studied by using Rapid Visco-Analyser (RVA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction pattern (X-ray). The research found that the peak viscosity (PV), trough viscosity (TV), final viscosity (FV) and breakdown (BD) of SX decreased markedly after HMT, whereas pasting temperature increased. Compared with SX, To, Tp and Tc of SX treated with HMT (H-SX) increased and ΔH decreased. The results of SEM showed that numerous xylitol granules appeared on the surface of starch granule in SX, and a layer of similar membrane adhered on the surface of starch granules in H-SX. After gelatinization and freeze-dried, the gel network structure of H-SX was tighter than that of SX. The amorphous region of H-SX was higher than that of SX.