Bone fixation implants with in-situ controllable stiffness: Modifying the R-curve behavior by 3D printing

Abstract

The difference in bone stiffness with the metallic bone fixation implants increases the risk of re-fracture due to osteoporosis in the implant area. In this study, a PLA-based bio-composite bone fixation implant with controllable stiffness capability was fabricated with a 3D printer, and crack growth in samples has been studied. The stiffness controllability was made possible by controlling the fiber and polymers fractions in the 3D printing process. A logical relationship was observed between Vf, critical load, and strain energy release rate. Therefore, it can be expected that the fracture toughness can be estimated in thermoplastic bio-composites bone fixation based on the Vf.