An automated system for measuring multi-dimensional, time dependent mechanical properties of a human tibial fracture.

An automated loading and measurement device has been developed for assessment of the mechanical properties of a healing human tibial fracture. The characteristics of the device are presented with assessments of errors. This paper constitutes a small part of a long term research project determining a clinically quantifiable end point for fracture healing in humans, hence a sample of results is presented to demonstrate the potential application of the device. A more detailed analysis of the results will be the basis of further publications. The initial results confirm that the non-linear behaviour of callus cannot be ignored in fracture assessment methodologies. They further reinforce the requirement to measure load-rate when measuring fracture stiffness. Polar plots of stiffness demonstrate that when measuring fracture stiffness not only should load-rate be considered, but also the orientation of measurement. The results from this work support the view that fracture stiffness should be measured in at least two planes. A new material property for the assessment of fracture healing, the gamma ratio gamma, is examined and preliminary results are shown. The paper also demonstrates how creep properties of a healing tibia can be assessed and proposes that this property may form the basis for future fracture assessment investigations.