Development and biomechanical evaluation of a new biodegradable intramedullary implant for osteosynthesis of midshaft fractures of small hollow bones.

Background: Up to date there is no intramedullary, biodegradable osteosynthesis commercially available to treat non-comminuted midshaft fractures of small hollow bones applying not only a stable osteosynthesis but an additional axial compression to the fracture site.

Objective And Methods: Therefore we (1) designed different implant profiles and simulated the inner tension/volume using CAD. (2) Thereafter we manufactured a prototype with the best volume/tension-ratio using 70:30 poly-(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) (PLLA/PDLLA) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) by injection moulding.