Method of measuring bone strength, apparatus for measuring bone strength and fixation device

摘要

Method and apparatus for measuring the strength of a bone, in particular a bone healing after a fracture or an osteotomy, whereby external fastening means are attached onto the bone in at least two locations. The external fastening means are provided with means for detection and/or measurement of relative displacement between said at least two external fastening means, the bone is subjected to strain, and corresponding measurements and/or detections are made of the relative displacement by contactless and/or two-dimensional measurement and/or detection means. Hereby, measurements are made which will provide a more accurate assessment of the strength and/or stiffness of a bone. The invention also relates to an external fixator facilitating a method and an apparatus according to the invention.