Biomechanics; Bone modeling; Distal radius; Elastic foundation; FEM; Fractures; Locking compression plate; Orthopaedics; Strength analyses; Traumatology

Distal radius fractures are the most frequent type of injury in the upper limbs. This paper analyses a new locking compression plate for osteosynthesis. The plate, made of Ti6Al4V or stainless steel, is used for the internal fixation of distal radius fractures by open reposition. The bone (with a fracture of 23?C1 AO classification), together with the plate and angularly stable screws, was exposed to axial tension/compression and bending quasi-dynamic overloading. The material properties of bone can be described with sufficient accuracy for individual bone parts using a homogeneous isotropic material model. In order to provide an adequate description of reality, the bone model was divided into two types of osseous tissues, i.e. cortical (compact?substantia compacta) and spongy (cancellous?substantia spongiosa) tissues. Other bone models based on the theory of elastic (Winkler?s) foundations were also used. Variant calculations (i.e. numerical simulations) were carried out for fused bone (i.e. successful treatment) and non-fused bone. The safety factor was evaluated with regard to the minimum yield strength of the material. The situation of maximum loading on non-fused bone is an extreme state in which the fracture fails to heal and the patient places excessive stress on the limb. From this biomechanical perspective, the analysed new locking compression plate with its angularly stable screws can be considered safe for the treatment of distal radius fractures.