Student Conference Proceedings
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): Stud Conf Proc
https://doi.org/10.18416/SCP.2025.1928

Biomedical Engineering, ID 1928

Distal Fibula Fracture Treatment with Intramedullary Implant: Concept Assessment and Initial Verification

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Elena Reznikova (Study program Biomedical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany), Nils Zander (Research and Development, Stryker Trauma GmbH, Schönkirchen, Germany), Andreas Heede (Research and Development, Stryker Trauma GmbH, Schönkirchen, Germany), Robert Wendlandt (Biomechanics Laboratory, Clinic for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig- Holstein, Lübeck, Germany)

Copyright (c) 2025 Elena Reznikova; Nils Zander, Andreas Heede, Robert Wendlandt Wendlandt

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This study examined the biomechanical performance of intramedullary nail implants for distal fibula fractures, particularly Weber B fractures. Simplified three-dimensional models were created to simulate the biomechanics of the leg during standing. Simulations were conducted with an axial load of 70 Newtons, with the fibula bearing 20 % of the total load from the body weight shared evenly between both legs. The results demonstrated that the intramedullary nail exhibited significantly lower stress levels compared to the traditional plate and screw construct. Peak Von Mises stress levels were 26 MPa in the nail’s syndesmotic screw and 146 MPa at the screw-to-plate interface within the plate construct. These findings provide a rationale for the hypothesis that patients may be able to bear weight earlier after surgery.

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