Publication detail

Analysing plate fixation of a comminuted fracture of the proximal ulna in relation to the elbow joint: a finite element study

ŠAFRAN, J. PAVLACKÝ, T. MARCIÁN, P. HERŮFEK, R. VESELÝ, R.

Original Title

Analysing plate fixation of a comminuted fracture of the proximal ulna in relation to the elbow joint: a finite element study

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

This study investigated the biomechanical behavior of four different screw configurations used to fix comminuted proximal ulna fractures with a locking compression plate (LCP), via a detailed finite element model based on realistic anatomical geometry. The model incorporated realistic anatomical geometry including both cortical and cancellous bone, soft tissue constraints, and loading conditions representing the physiological self-weight of the forearm, with the humerus fixed at its proximal end. The stress distribution on the plate, strain intensity within the bone tissue, and interfragmentary motion (IFM) between fracture fragments were evaluated for each configuration. The results indicate that all the tested configurations provide adequate stability under normal loading conditions, with no risk of material failure. However, excessive stress concentrations were observed in specific screw regions depending on the configuration, particularly when proximal screws anchoring the olecranon (e.g. screws 2 and 3 in Variant 3) were omitted. Strain analysis revealed moderate physiological bone loading across variants, whereas IFM assessment highlighted the importance of securing the coronoid and apical fragments to prevent compromised healing. These findings suggest that a specific reductions in osteosynthetic material, such as omitting certain diaphyseal screws while maintaining crucial olecranon and coronoid fixation, may provide sufficient fracture stabilisation under the modelled conditions, potentially minimising implant-related complications. This modelling approach offers a valuable tool for preclinical assessment of osteosynthesis strategies and supports future comparative research on fixation methods with varying biomechanical properties.

Keywords

Proximal ulna comminuted fracture; Elbow joint; Olecranon fracture; Finite element analysis; Locking compression plate; Interfragmentary motion

Authors

ŠAFRAN, J.; PAVLACKÝ, T.; MARCIÁN, P.; HERŮFEK, R.; VESELÝ, R.

Released

28. 7. 2025

Publisher

BMC

Location

LONDON

ISBN

1749-799X

Periodical

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

Year of study

20

Number

1

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages from

1

Pages to

16

Pages count

16

URL

https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-025-06031-4

Full text in the Digital Library

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/255424

BibTex

@article{BUT198484,
  author="Jindřich {Šafran} and Tomáš {Pavlacký} and Petr {Marcián} and Radim {Herůfek} and Radek {Veselý}",
  title="Analysing plate fixation of a comminuted fracture of the proximal ulna in relation to the elbow joint: a finite element study",
  journal="Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research",
  year="2025",
  volume="20",
  number="1",
  pages="16",
  doi="10.1186/s13018-025-06031-4",
  issn="1749-799X",
  url="https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-025-06031-4"
}