System for measuring fracture stiffness.

摘要

This invention relates to a system for measuring fracture stiffness, which is indicative of fracture healing. It is of particular application to fractures of the bones of limbs. The apparatus comprising a goniometer (10) which is positionable to run substantially parallel to the long axis of the bone having the fracture and which has one end connected with a first spacer (11), placed axially to one side of the fracture (8), and the other end connected with a second spacer (11'), placed axially to another side of the fracture, and said apparatus including means (15, 16) to measure the signal of the goniometer to obtain a measurement of angular deformation on the application of a load, said measurement being representative of fracture stiffness.