An interface finite element model can be used to predict healing outcome of bone fractures

After fractures, bone can experience different potential outcomes: successful bone consolidation, non-union and bone failure. Although, there are a lot of factors that influence fracture healing, experimental studies have shown that the interfragmentary movement (IFM) is one of the main regulators for the course of bone healing. In this sense, computational models may help to improve the development of mechanical-based treatments for bone fracture healing. Hence, based on this fact, we propose a combined repair-failure mechanistic computational model to describe bone fracture healing. Despite being a simple model, it is able to correctly estimate the time course evolution of the IFM compared to in vivo measurements under different mechanical conditions. Therefore, this mathematical approach is especially suitable for modeling the healing response of bone to fractures treated with different mechanical fixators, simulating realistic clinical conditions. This model will be a useful tool to identify factors and define targets for patient specific therapeutics interventions. •We presented a coupled mechanistic computational model able to simulate the normal and the impaired bone healing.•The temporal evolution of the bone fracture mechanical properties under different mechanical stability conditions is successfully simulated.•Our model assumes that the local mechanical environment of the gap fracture regulates the fracture outcome.•This model can be used to study and improve healing of bone fragments stabilized by different fixation systems.