Fractures of the olecranon represent about 10% of the upper extremity lesions. Surgical fixation of this fracture through tension band wiring involves inserting two 316L pins and a tension band wire in a figure eight configuration. After the fracture is healed, the hardware is typically removed. The feasibility of using biodegradable AZ31 magnesium alloy for this application is examined. A 3D computer model of the elbow was developed from CT scans and evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA). The fracture displacements of ulnas fixed with AZ31 were compared with 316L hardware. Physical tests of the elbow were used to verify the results from the FEA model. The data suggest that AZ31 has the potential to be a viable material for use in the fixation of olecranon fractures.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Gay, Joseph F
• King, Louisa S.
• Lysen, Adrienne Taylor

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-050114-112720

Advisor

• Shivkumar, Satya

Year

• 2014

Date created

• 2014-05-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright