Determination of the Young's Modulus of Callus by Comparing Finite ElementSimulations with Experiments

摘要

The aim of this study is to find out the dependence of the elastic material constants of callus on the healing time. Therefore Finite Element simulations of a osteotomized rabbit tibia were compared with results from four point bending tests. The right tibiae of New Zealand White Rabbits were osteotomized and fixed by a uniplanar, bilateral external fixa-tor. The fixator could be disconnected during the measurements. It was possible to measure the deflection of the tibiae concerning to a prescribed loading twice a week during the healing process. After 7 till 8 weeks after surgery the rabbits were euthanised. Finally, the tibiae were explanted and examined by micro-CT. In a second step Finite Element models were generated from this data. The displacements were calculated for a specified loading, but with variations of the Young's-modulus of the callus. It was possible to find out the Young's modulus of the callus - taking into account a homogeneous and isotropic material behavior - by comparing the calculations and the measurements.