Skip to main content
Fig. 5 | Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Fig. 5

From: An assessment of outcomes with intramedullary fixation of fractured ribs

Fig. 5

a. FEA modelling of a sixth rib with posterior fracture subjected to all attached muscle forces and physiological intrathoracic pressures. b. FEA modelling of posterior rib fracture with an intramedullary splint in situ at normal breathing intensity forces. Movement is noted at the fracture site but the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the bone at the fracture site and the UTS of the intramedullary splint are not exceeded in this modelling run. c. Assessment of a spiked steel intramedullary splint shows the UTS of the cortical bone is likely to be exceeded at those points where the spikes are in contact with cortical bone during coughing intensity forces. During normal breathing simulated forces, high stresses were not observed. d. An idealised intramedullary splint of bioresorbable polymer showing that the UTS of the splint itself is being exceeded at the fracture site

Back to article page