Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42756076›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2026

Comparative finite element analysis of a novel distal tibiofibular locking plate versus conventional fixation methods for Tillaux-Chaput fractures.

Xiunian Hu, Fake Liao, Wutang Que, Huahui Huang, Han Li, Hui Liu, Weibin Lan, Rijiang Chen

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Article in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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8 authors.

Xiunian HuDepartment of Orthopaedics,Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Fake LiaoDepartment of Orthopaedics,Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Wutang QueDepartment of Orthopaedics,Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Huahui HuangThe Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Han LiThe Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Hui LiuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Weibin LanDepartment of Orthopaedics,Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Rijiang ChenDepartment of Orthopaedics,Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Tillaux-Chaput fractures are avulsion fractures involving the tibial insertion of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. Inadequate fixation may result in distal tibiofibular syndesmotic instability and post-traumatic ankle arthritis. Conventional fixation methods, such as cannulated screws and suture anchor fixation, exhibit inherent limitations in the management of small or comminuted fragments. This study aimed to compare the biomechanical performance of cannulated screw fixation, suture anchor fixation, and a newly developed distal tibiofibular locking plate system for Tillaux-Chaput fractures using finite element analysis. Methods: Computed tomography data from a healthy adult male ankle were used to reconstruct a three-dimensional finite element model consisting of the tibia, fibula, and talus. A Tillaux-Chaput fracture was simulated at the anterolateral distal tibia. Four fixation models were established: cannulated screw fixation, suture anchor fixation, and two configurations of the novel locking plate system. Five physiological loading conditions were simulated, including plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, internal rotation, external rotation, and single-leg standing. The maximum von Mises stress and total displacement of both the fracture fragment and fixation devices were evaluated. Results: Across all loading conditions, the novel locking plate configurations exhibited lower peak stress and displacement of the fracture fragment than both cannulated screw and suture anchor fixation. The plate-2 fixation demonstrated the most favorable overall performance, with fracture fragment stress ranging from 2.28 to 4.70 MPa under non-standing conditions and 4.63 MPa during single-leg standing. Under internal and external rotation, the cannulated screw model showed the highest fragment stress, reaching 30.72 and 29.42 MPa, respectively. During single-leg standing, the suture anchor fixation showed the highest fragment stress of 43.19 MPa. The locking plate models also exhibited a more uniform stress distribution and better control of fragment displacement, particularly under torsional loading. Conclusion: The novel distal tibiofibular locking plate system provided superior biomechanical stability compared with cannulated screw and suture anchor fixation in this finite element model of Tillaux-Chaput fracture. By combining plate support, locking screw fixation, and suture-assisted reinforcement, this system may offer a promising fixation strategy for small and comminuted Tillaux-Chaput fragments.

Indexed as

biomechanicsdistal tibiofibular syndesmosisfinite element analysisinternal fixationlocking platetillaux-chaput fracture

Identifiers

PMID42756076
PMCPMC13582254

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.