Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques

Abstract Background and objectives Bennett fractures are intra-articular fractures of the first metacarpal, typically resulting from axial loading. The optimal surgical method for fixation remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to evaluate and compare the biomechanical properties of diff...

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Main Authors: Numan Mercan, Ebubekir Eravşar, Selim Safalı, Levent Uğur, Ali Özdemir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05481-0
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author Numan Mercan
Ebubekir Eravşar
Selim Safalı
Levent Uğur
Ali Özdemir
author_facet Numan Mercan
Ebubekir Eravşar
Selim Safalı
Levent Uğur
Ali Özdemir
author_sort Numan Mercan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and objectives Bennett fractures are intra-articular fractures of the first metacarpal, typically resulting from axial loading. The optimal surgical method for fixation remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to evaluate and compare the biomechanical properties of different fixation techniques. Materials and methods Four fixation models were analyzed: the Lag Screw (LS) model, the Plate-screw (PS) model, and two K-wire models (Kw1 and Kw2). The biomechanical stability of each model was assessed by measuring the total displacement at the fracture line and the maximum von Mises stresses (MvMs) on the fixation materials. Results Measurements revealed that the LS model exhibited the highest total displacement of 2,184 mm, while the PS model showed the least displacement at 0,069 mm. Among the K-wire models, Kw1 had a total displacement of 0,408 mm, while Kw2 displayed 0,146 mm. Notably, the MvMs values at the fracture line were highest in the LS model (623,95 MPa for the large fragment surface) and lowest in the Kw2 model (16,237 MPa). The PS model demonstrated the lowest stresses on the fixation materials, highlighting its biomechanical advantage. Furthermore, the assessment of joint-level displacement indicated that the Kw1 model had the greatest displacement (0,156 mm), while the PS model maintained remarkable stability, recording a stable 0 mm displacement. Conclusion The PS model demonstrated superior biomechanical stability, making it the most suitable fixation method among those studied. While the Kw2 model showed promising results with low total displacement values, further studies are necessary to establish its clinical efficacy.
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spelling doaj-art-87511ec5fb6a4d9897aa2933b7ae76d82025-01-26T12:43:31ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-01-0120111310.1186/s13018-025-05481-0Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniquesNuman Mercan0Ebubekir Eravşar1Selim Safalı2Levent Uğur3Ali Özdemir4Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl City HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Selçuk University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Selçuk University Faculty of MedicineMechanical Engineering Department, Amasya UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Selçuk University Faculty of MedicineAbstract Background and objectives Bennett fractures are intra-articular fractures of the first metacarpal, typically resulting from axial loading. The optimal surgical method for fixation remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to evaluate and compare the biomechanical properties of different fixation techniques. Materials and methods Four fixation models were analyzed: the Lag Screw (LS) model, the Plate-screw (PS) model, and two K-wire models (Kw1 and Kw2). The biomechanical stability of each model was assessed by measuring the total displacement at the fracture line and the maximum von Mises stresses (MvMs) on the fixation materials. Results Measurements revealed that the LS model exhibited the highest total displacement of 2,184 mm, while the PS model showed the least displacement at 0,069 mm. Among the K-wire models, Kw1 had a total displacement of 0,408 mm, while Kw2 displayed 0,146 mm. Notably, the MvMs values at the fracture line were highest in the LS model (623,95 MPa for the large fragment surface) and lowest in the Kw2 model (16,237 MPa). The PS model demonstrated the lowest stresses on the fixation materials, highlighting its biomechanical advantage. Furthermore, the assessment of joint-level displacement indicated that the Kw1 model had the greatest displacement (0,156 mm), while the PS model maintained remarkable stability, recording a stable 0 mm displacement. Conclusion The PS model demonstrated superior biomechanical stability, making it the most suitable fixation method among those studied. While the Kw2 model showed promising results with low total displacement values, further studies are necessary to establish its clinical efficacy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05481-0ThumbBasilar thumb arthritisRolando fractureCarpometacarpalComputational
spellingShingle Numan Mercan
Ebubekir Eravşar
Selim Safalı
Levent Uğur
Ali Özdemir
Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Thumb
Basilar thumb arthritis
Rolando fracture
Carpometacarpal
Computational
title Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
title_full Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
title_fullStr Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
title_full_unstemmed Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
title_short Biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of Bennett fracture fixation: a comparative study of four surgical techniques
title_sort biomechanical insights through finite element analysis of bennett fracture fixation a comparative study of four surgical techniques
topic Thumb
Basilar thumb arthritis
Rolando fracture
Carpometacarpal
Computational
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05481-0
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