A finite element simulation on a fracture fixated clavicle was performed to study the effects of different fracture fixation parameters on the callus region. Specifically, parameters such as plate material, thickness, plate/bone gap, screw length, and locking vs. non-locking screws were explored. Plate thickness and locking vs. non-locking screws were found to be influential to construct stiffness where plate/bone gap and number of screws were not as sensitive.

Clavicle fractures are common injuries that may from dynamic events such as falls or blunt-body trauma. Methods of repair may be non-operative, or surgical. Surgical repair is accomplished via fixation plates or intramedullary rods. The research investigated the use, and prediction accuracy, of advanced material models within a finite element framework to predict dynamic stresses and strains within the clavicle body which would be subjected to a dynamic load. The material models used were considered to be viscoelastic and orthotropic. The proposed finite element models were successfully verified against experimental results available in literature. The models were then used to predict the timevarying stresses and strains within the clavicle as a result of arbitrarily-chosen, short-impact dynamic loading. A comparison of predictions, corresponding to each material model, was performed.