Continuous Implant Load Monitoring to Assess Bone Healing Status—Evidence from Animal Testing

Background and Objectives: Fracture healing is currently assessed through qualitative evaluation of radiographic images, which is highly subjective in nature. Radiographs can only provide snapshots in time, which are limited due to logistics and radiation exposure. We recently proposed assessing the bone healing status through continuous monitoring of the implant load, utilizing an implanted sensor system, the Fracture Monitor. The device telemetrically transmits statistically derived implant parameters via the patient’s mobile phone to assist physicians in diagnostics and treatment decision-making. This preclinical study aims to systematically investigate the device safety and performance in an animal setting. Materials and Methods: Mid-shaft tibial osteotomies of different sizes (0.6–30 mm) were created in eleven Swiss mountain sheep. The bones were stabilized with either a conventional Titanium or stainless-steel locking plate equipped with a Fracture Monitor. Data were continuously collected over the device’s lifetime. Conventional radiographs and clinical CT scans were taken longitudinally over the study period. The radiographs were systematically scored and CTs were evaluated for normalized bone volume in the defect. The animals were euthanized after 9 months. The sensor output was correlated with the radiologic parameters. Tissue samples from the device location were histologically examined. Results: The sensors functioned autonomously for 6.5–8.4 months until energy depletion. No macroscopic or microscopic adverse effects from device implantation were observed. The relative implant loads at 4 and 8 weeks post-operation correlated significantly with the radiographic scores and with the normalized bone volume metric. Conclusions: Continuous implant load monitoring appears as a relevant approach to support and objectify fracture healing assessments and carries a strong potential to enable patient-tailored rehabilitation in the future.