The correct evaluation of the healing process is important to define proper times of fixator dynamization and removal, avoiding refractures. Unfortunately, a quantitative healing assessment is not yet available in clinical practice. The aim of the paper is to prove the feasibility of the mechanical vibration method to assess bone healing in fractures treated with external fixation, in in vivo conditions. The case study was a patient with a tibial fracture treated with a monoaxial fixator. The healing process was monitored for three months through a series of five impact tests. The pins screwed into the bone were used both to excite and measure vibrations. Fracture healing was quantitatively assessed by estimating the resonant frequencies of the leg. The first frequency increased of about 4% per week during the observation period. After the hard callus formation (13 week), also other frequencies increased within the range 1%–6% per week. X-ray observations confirmed the healing progress and proved the method potentiality. In addition, the vibratory response of the leg after fixator removal was evaluated and resulted characterized by five modes in the bandwidth 0–1000 Hz. The results suggest that the vibratory response of a fractured bone treated with external fixation can be a promising indicator for quantitative healing monitoring. The mechanical vibration method could be helpful for reducing X-ray exposure of patients and could be performed more frequently, as desirable for obtaining more attentive monitoring.

中文翻译：

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通过冲击试验监测骨折愈合：带外固定器的胫骨骨折的单个案例研究

对愈合过程的正确评估对于确定固定器动力化和移除的适当时间，避免再次骨折很重要。不幸的是，在临床实践中还没有定量的愈合评估。本文的目的是证明机械振动方法在体内条件下评估外固定治疗骨折的骨愈合的可行性。案例研究是一位使用单轴固定器治疗胫骨骨折的患者。通过一系列五次冲击测试监测愈合过程三个月。拧入骨中的销钉用于激发和测量振动。通过估计腿的共振频率来定量评估骨折愈合。在观察期间，第一频率每周增加约 4%。硬愈伤组织形成后（13 周），其他频率也每周增加 1%–6%。X 射线观察证实了愈合过程并证明了该方法的潜力。此外，还评估了移除固定器后腿部的振动响应，并以 0-1000 Hz 带宽中的五种模式为特征。结果表明，用外固定架治疗的骨折骨的振动响应可以成为定量监测愈合的有希望的指标。机械振动方法有助于减少患者的 X 射线暴露，并且可以更频繁地进行，以获得更细心的监测。X 射线观察证实了愈合过程并证明了该方法的潜力。此外，还评估了移除固定器后腿部的振动响应，并以 0-1000 Hz 带宽中的五种模式为特征。结果表明，用外固定架治疗的骨折骨的振动响应可以成为定量监测愈合的有希望的指标。机械振动方法有助于减少患者的 X 射线暴露，并且可以更频繁地进行，以获得更细心的监测。X 射线观察证实了愈合过程并证明了该方法的潜力。此外，还评估了移除固定器后腿部的振动响应，并以 0-1000 Hz 带宽中的五种模式为特征。结果表明，用外固定架治疗的骨折骨的振动响应可以成为定量监测愈合的有希望的指标。机械振动方法有助于减少患者的 X 射线暴露，并且可以更频繁地进行，以获得更细心的监测。结果表明，用外固定装置治疗的骨折骨的振动响应可以成为定量监测愈合的有希望的指标。机械振动方法有助于减少患者的 X 射线暴露，并且可以更频繁地进行，以获得更细心的监测。结果表明，用外固定架治疗的骨折骨的振动响应可以成为定量监测愈合的有希望的指标。机械振动方法有助于减少患者的 X 射线暴露，并且可以更频繁地进行，以获得更细心的监测。