Evaluation of residual stresses due to bone callus growth: A computational study

• Published in: Journal of biomechanics Vol. 44; no. 9; pp. 1782 - 1787
• Main Authors: González-Torres, L.A, Gómez-Benito, M.J, García-Aznar, J.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 03-06-2011; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics. Biorheology; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bone Development - physiology; Bone healing; Bony Callus - physiopathology; Callus growth; Cartilage - physiology; Cell growth; Computer Simulation; Evolution; Fracture Healing; Fractures; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Materials Testing; Mechanobiological model; Metatarsus - physiology; Models, Statistical; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Residual stress; Residual stresses; Sheep; Stress, Mechanical; Tensile Strength; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Bone healing; Residual stresses; Mechanobiological model; Callus growth; Osteoarticular system; Biomechanics; Models; Bone; Cicatrization; Residual stress; Osteogenesis; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0021-9290; 1873-2380
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.04.021

Abstract Mechanical environment in callus is determinant for the evolution of bone healing. However, recent mechanobiological computational works have underestimated the effect that growth exerts on the mechanical environment of callus. In the present work, we computationally evaluate the significance of growth-induced stresses, commonly called residual stresses, in callus. We construct a mechanobiological model of a callus in the metatarsus of a sheep in two different stages: one week and four weeks after fracture. The magnitude of stresses generated during callus growth is compared with the magnitude of stresses when only external loads are applied to the callus. We predict that residual stresses are relevant in some areas, mainly located at the periosteal side far from the fracture gap. Therefore, the inclusion of these residual stresses could represent a significant impact on the callus growth and predict a different evolution of biological processes occurring during bone healing.