ABSTRACT
Human tibial fractures are complex injuries that usually result in long periods of hospitalization and rehabilitation. During the slow healing process, the bone callus gradually in-creases its mechanical properties. This work aims to evaluate the structural influence of the mechanical properties of a bone callus due to a transverse tibial fracture. Therefore, a 2D tibia model was constructed, considering distinct geometries and load cases simulating a normal alignment and malalignment conditions (valgus and a varus knee). Each model was analyzed with the finite element method (FEM) and the meshless method, particularly the Radial Point Interpolation Method (RPIM). The results show that both malalignment conditions induced the highest stresses in the model compared to the aligned condition. The maximum stresses were observed in the tibia model with the E=250 MPa callus and gradually decreased with the increase of the mechanical properties of the callus.
