Abstract:
Bone healing is a complex biological process which is regulated by mechanical micro-environment
caused by inter-fragmentary movement (IFM). IFM generated interstitial fluid flow within the fracture
callus could potentially not only affect the mesenchymal stem cells migration and differentiation
during the healing, but also enhance nutrient transport within the callus tissue.
In this study, a three dimensional poroelastic finite element model of a human tibia was developed to
study the mechanical behaviour of the fracture callus due to IFM at the early stage of fracture. The
biophysical stimuli were characterised with three main parameters involved in the healing process:
octahedral shear strain, interstitial fluid velocity and pressure. The proposed algorithm represents a
first step towards to the development of a powerful simulation tool for fracture healing.
