Biomechanical analysis of conventional and locking compression plate (LCP) for treating fibula fracture: A finite element study

1) Background: Due to questionable effectiveness of malleolar fracture fixation, biomechanical study was conducted to compare the stability of One Third Tubular (OTT) Plate and Locking Compression Plate (LCP); 2) Methods: CT image of bone was used to develop 3D bone model while the plate was constructed in Solidwork with varied number of screws. Further, finite element study was conducted for both models where the bone and plate were defined as homogenous and isotropic material properties; 3) Results: For LCP, the highest VMS observed at the plate for 3 screws was 484 MPa, whereas for 5 screws plate was 667 MPa. Meanwhile, for OTT, the highest VMS at plate was observed for 3 screws was 300.5 MPa, whereas for 5 screw plate was 127.5 MPa. 4) Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be noted that the usage of 3 screw causing a lower VMS at plate compared to 5 screws. However, the relation is only valid for LCP. On the other hand, for OTT, 5-screw constructs giving a low VMS than 3-screw constructs. It can be concluded that the optimum stabilities of OTT and LCP were found at 5 screws and 3 screws, respectively.