Finite Element Analysis of Bioresorbable LAE442 Magnesium Alloy Intramedullary Nail for Internal Femoral Fracture Fixation

Conventional internal bone fixation methods use titanium or stainless-steel implants which require a second or multiple surgeries for removal, increasing the risk of infection that can be reduced by using bioresorbable implants. This study investigates the mechanical properties of LAE442 Mg Alloy for internal femoral fracture fixation using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technique. Four femoral models—Normal femur, Intertrochanteric, Subtrochanteric, and Shaft-fractured—were analyzed under a normal gait scenario. The maximum von Mises and shear stresses for the normal femur were 17% and 19.8% while for intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, and shaft fractures were 38.9% and 43.5%, 47.2% and 51.6% and 35.6% and 38.7% respectively, compared to the yield strengths of LAE442 Mg alloy (193 MPa compressive, 90.8 MPa shear). The total deformations were also within a normal range of up to 2 mm, indicating that the alloy is fairly suitable for femoral load-bearing during a normal gait cycle.