INSTRUMENTED TIBIAL NAILS FOR MONITORING NAIL-BONE LOAD SHARING DURING FRACTURE HEALING

Early diagnosis of delayed- and non-union tibial fractures is difficult, but treatment options are available if timely data are available. Direct correlation between implant forces and healing status is difficult during stance phase loading due to soft tissue forces. This ongoing study seeks to find a minimal set of strain gauge sites needed to determine healing at any of several fracture sites, using isometric loading suitable for routine clinical usage. A series of instrumented tibial nails are being used to help determine whether an alternative technology can replace or augment existing routine methods for assessment of fracture healing.In a prior study, a single strain gauge positioned close to the fracture site had produced mixed results. In the current study, a TRIGEN META NAIL, 10mm OD x 380mm long, was instrumented with 8 gauged sites spiraled down the nail at 34mm axial and 120deg angular separation (Gen1), and loaded in a Sawbone model in offset axial compression, 3 point bending and torque.In o...