Investigation of factors affecting loosening of Ilizarov ring-wire external fixator systems at the bone-wire interface

The potential for peri-implant bone yielding and subsequent loosening of Ilizarov ring-wire external fixation systems was investigated using non-linear finite element (FE) analyses. A strain-based plasticity model was employed to simulate bone yielding. FE models also incorporated contact behavior at the wire-bone interface, orthotropic elasticity, and periosteal-endosteal variation of bone properties. These simulations were used to determine the extent and location of yielding with change in age-related bone structure and properties for the bone-Ilizarov construct at the tibial midshaft. Finn E. Donaldson, Pankaj Pankaj, A. Hamish R.W. Simpson. Journal of Orthopaedic Research; Article first published online: 31 OCT 2011 PDF