Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 5
Numerical results at a distraction rate of (
a
) 1 mm/day; (
b
) 0.3 mm/day and (
c
) 2 mm/day
(From [
56
]). Experimental results showing (
d
) a successful bony bridging [
52
]; (
e
) a premature
union [
47
]; (
f
) a nonunion [
48
]
around 1 mm/day produces the best effects on tissue regeneration [
1
,
34
]. Neverthe-
less, higher distraction rates resulted in a predominantly fibrous interfragmentary
gap [
15
].
Regarding the computed reaction force, the model is able to capture the gradual
stiffening trend observed experimentally [
9
,
56
]. However, the material properties
are on the limit of the physiological range. With more realistic material properties,
the model is not able to predict the stiffening behavior of the reaction forces. To
solve this limitation and use a more realistic set of material properties, the pretrac-
tion stresses needed to be incorporated to the model (see Reina-Romo et al. [
57
]for
further details). Reina-Romo et al. [
58
] showed that considering residual stresses
is crucial for a correct reaction force prediction and material properties estimation.
By contrast, tissue distributions were not affected significantly by these residual
stresses [
58
].
4.2.2
Extension to Three Dimensions: Simulation of a Clinical Case
Distraction osteogenesis is an effective way to grow new bone and has been
widely used in the last decades to correct bone deformities, either congenital
or acquired, bone length discrepancies and bony defects. Its application to the
