Perpustakaan Digital ITB

Biodegradable magnesium implants are promising temporary supports for fracture fixation because they can gradually degrade while transferring load back to the healing bone. Computational modelling, especially finite element analysis, provides useful approach to investigate the mechanical and biological interaction between healing tissue and degrading implants. However, bone healing and implant degradation are often modelled separately, even though both processes interact through changes in stiffness, stability, and local mechanical stimulus. This study aims to develop a Python-based finite element framework that couples mechanoregulation-based bone healing with biodegradable scaffold degradation as a proof-ofconcept simulation approach. The framework was developed using stepwise modelling strategy. Simplified model with prescribed callus geometry was first used to test the main computational modules, followed by an estimated callus model generated through low-strain element removal. The bone healing module includes cell diffusion, mechanoregulation-based tissue phenotype prediction, and tissue property update. The degradation module simulates progressive scaffold material loss, with the degradation parameter tuned using a bisection method to control the remaining scaffold percentage. The coupled simulation was implemented using a serial day-by-day procedure, where callus properties were updated first, followed by scaffold degradation and geometry update. The developed framework successfully integrated callus maturation and scaffold degradation within one finite element workflow. The model can produce cell concentration distribution, tissue phenotype evolution, callus stiffness development, scaffold degradation pattern, and remaining scaffold percentage. Although the model uses simplified geometry and static loading, it provides a modular computational basis for future studies involving realistic loading, experimental calibration, and validation.