Timely fracture-healing requires optimization of axial fixation stability.

Background: Bone-healing is known to be sensitive to the mechanical stability of fixation. However, the influence on healing of the individual components of fixation stiffness remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the initial in vitro fixation stiffness and the strength and stiffness of the callus after nine weeks.

Stair climbing is more critical than walking in pre-clinical assessment of primary stability in cementless THA in vitro.

Pre-clinical testing of hip endoprostheses is a mandatory requirement before clinical release. Inadequate loading conditions may lead to lower elastic and plastic interface movements than those occurring post-operatively in vivo. This study investigated the influence of patient activity on the primary stability of cementless prostheses with a special emphasis on active simulation of muscle forces.

The initial phase of fracture healing is specifically sensitive to mechanical conditions.

Interfragmentary movements affect the quality and quantity of callus formation. The mounting plane of monolateral external fixators may give direction to those movements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of the fixator mounting plane on the process of fracture healing.

Interfragmentary movements in the early phase of healing in distraction and correction osteotomies stabilized with ring fixators.

Background: Experimental analyses have demonstrated the impact of mechanical conditions on bone healing. In critical clinical cases the mechanical conditions may be even more demanding than those in experimental studies. This study set out to examine the gap movements in distraction and correction osteotomies and to determine the suitability of initial fixation.

Interfragmentary motion in tibial osteotomies stabilized with ring fixators.

Relative movement of bone fragments affects healing processes. In vivo data exist for patients with reduced transverse fractures only. The gap movements that occur under more complex conditions such as in tibial osteotomies, however, are unknown.

Mechanical conditions in the internal stabilization of proximal tibial defects.

Objectives: The goal was to design a method which would permit an assessment of the suitability of a newly developed implant under physiological-like loading conditions. Information obtained from such an analysis is expected to delineate more clearly the indications for a new device prior to clinical utilization.

Design: In vitro mechanical stiffness testing and finite element analysis.