Model the mechanics. Explore the healing.
OSORA combines image-based computational models, mechanobiological simulation and data-driven prediction.
From case information to a digital model
Imaging, information about the fracture and fixation, and the loading scenario define the starting point. Geometry and material assumptions are translated into a model that represents the question to be explored.
Mechanics shape healing. Healing changes the mechanics.
Local mechanical conditions influence how tissue develops. As the tissue changes, the mechanical environment changes with it. Repeated simulation steps explore this feedback over the healing period.
Compare scenarios, not just snapshots
A practical question is whether more weight bearing can be permitted without causing excessive movement at the fracture or high implant stress. The model keeps the fracture and fixation the same, changes only the loading level, and follows how the resulting mechanical conditions may influence consolidation.
Built on research. Interpreted with context.
What the model can explore
Controlled scenarios can show how changes in fixation, loading or assumptions influence the simulated result.
What remains contextual
Results depend on input quality and the chosen model. They support research and discussion; they do not establish validity for every patient or replace clinical judgement.
Publications and scientific foundations
- 2026
Predicting Nonunion: A hybrid machine learning model combining patient factors and mechanobiological simulation features exceeds clinician accuracy
Armbruster, J. et al. (2026)
Accepted for publication in Bone & Joint (forthcoming)
- 2026
Synergies between spaceflight research, bone healing models and digital twins
Arnegger, A., Niemeyer, F., (2026)
45th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology, Cologne, 2026
- 2026
Evolving Simulation-Based Education in Trauma Care: A User-Perspective on Implementation Requirements
Arnegger, A., Niemeyer, F., Mendel, T. (2026)
In: Proceedings of The 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery , vol 8, pages 21-25
View publication - 2025
Can fracture healing simulations improve clinical non union risk assessment? A retrospective study in 98 patients
Niemeyer, F., Armbruster, J., Engelhardt, L., Arnegger, A., Reiter, G., Grützner, P., Freischmidt, H. (2025)
30th congress of ther European Society of Biomechanics, Zurich, 2025
- 2025
The Power of Heuristics in Predicting Fracture Nonunion
Armbruster, J., Steinhausen, E., Hackl, S., Reumann, M., Stengel, D., Niemeyer, F., Reiter, G., Grützner, P., Freischmidt, H., (2025)
in: J. Clin. Med., 2713
View publication - 2025
Does helical plating for proximal humeral shaft fractures benefit bone healing? – an in silico analysis in fracture healing: Fracture healing simulation of helical plating for humeral fractures
Halbauer, C., Capanni, F., Engelhardt, L., Paech, A., Knop, C., Merkle, T. and Da Silva, T. (2025)
Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik., 2025
View publication - 2024
Predicting non-unions in tibial shaft fractures: Can digital twins contribute to a reliable prognosis?
Armbruster, J, Engelhardt L, et al.
Deutscher Kongress für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DKOU), Berlin 2024
- 2024
Case Studies of a Simulation Workflow to Improve Bone Healing Assessment in Impending Non-Unions
Maisenbacher, T.C.; Libicher, S.; Erne, F.; Menger, M.M.; Reumann, M.K.; Schindler, Y.; Niemeyer, F.; Engelhardt, L.; Histing, T.; Braun, B.J.
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 3922.
View publication - 2023
Computer-Based Mechanobiological Fracture Healing Model Predicts Non-Union of Surgically Treated Diaphyseal Femur Fracture
Degenhart C, Engelhardt L, Niemeyer F, et al.
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12 (10), 346
View publication - 2023
An innovative web-based learning platform for improving knowledge and skills in fracture healing simulation in application to literature comparison of in-vivo data
Engelhardt L et al
X International Conference on Computational Bioengineering, Vienna 2023
View publication - 2023
Einfluss der Mechanik auf die Pseudarthrosenentstehung und Ausheilung – ein zweischrittiges Simulationsverfahren für Screening und Detailanalyse
Braun B, Histing T
Deutscher Kongress für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DKOU), Berlin 2023
View publication - 2023
The translational perspective
Engelhardt L
Invited Talk on the ORS ISFR Meeting 2023, Dallas
View publication - 2022
Prognose des Konsolidierungszustandes operativ versorgter diaphysärer Femurfrakturen durch eine Computersimulation
Schütze K, Engelhardt L, Niemeyer F, et al.
Deutscher Kongress für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DKOU), Berlin 2022
View publication - 2022
Klinische Anwendung der mechano-biologischen Frakturheilungssimulation zur Prognose des Konsolidierungszustandes operativ versorgter diaphysärer Femurfrakturen
Engelhardt L, Niemeyer F, Degenhardt C, et al.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Biomechanik, Köln 2022
View publication - 2021
Simulating Metaphyseal Fracture Healing in the Distal Radius
Engelhardt L, Niemeyer F, Christen P, et al.
Biomechanics. 2021;1(1):29–42.
View publication - 2018
Including the Implant Degradation Process in a Fracture Healing Model
Pietsch M, Niemeyer F, Urban K, et al.
In: Proceedings of the 8th World Congress of Biomechanics. Dublin; 2018.
- 2018
Modelling the fracture-healing process as a moving-interface problem using an interface-capturing approach
Pietsch M, Niemeyer F, Simon U, et al.
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. 2018;0(0):1–9.
View publication - 2018
Simulating lateral distraction osteogenesis
Niemeyer F, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
PLOS ONE. 2018;13(3):e0194500.
View publication - 2017
Optimizing Spinal Fusion Implants Using Bone Healing Simulations
Niemeyer F, Trautwein F, Wilke H-J, et al.
In: Proceedings of the ORS 2017 Annual Meeting. San Diego; 2017.
- 2015
Numerical Simulation of Fracture Healing and Bone Remodelling
Simon U, Niemeyer F.
In: Simpson H, Augat P, eds. Experimental Research Methods in Orthopedics in Trauma. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2015:181–189.
- 2014
Adjusting Mechanoregulatory Rules for Numerical Fracture Healing Simulation from Sheep to Rat
Steiner M, Niemeyer F, Claes L, et al.
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Amsterdam; 2014.
- 2014
Numerical Simulation of Callus Healing for Optimization of Fracture Fixation Stiffness
Steiner M, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
Costa-Rodrigues J, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(7):e101370.
View publication - 2014
Disadvantages of interfragmentary shear on fracture healing—mechanical insights through numerical simulation
Steiner M, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
J. Orthop. Res. 2014;32(7):865–872.
View publication - 2014
Using bone healing simulations to design and optimize a novel spinal fusion implant
Niemeyer F, Bartolini L, Engelhardt L, et al.
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Amsterdam; 2014.
- 2013
Prediction of fracture healing under axial loading, shear loading and bending is possible using distortional and dilatational strains as determining mechanical stimuli
Steiner M, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
J R Soc Interface. 2013;10(86):20130389.
View publication - 2013
A New Bone Implant Concept: AMPLIFIX – First Numerical Results of Dynamic Osseointegration Simulation
Engelhardt L, Niemeyer F, et al.
In: CBU 2013 proceedings: 18th International Symposium on Computational Biomechanics in Ulm, 2013.
View publication - 2012
Optimization of intramedullary nailing by numerical simulation of fracture healing
Wehner T, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2012;30(4):569–573.
View publication - 2011
Optimization of Input Parameters for Fracture Healing Simulations
Steiner M, Claes L, Ignatius A, et al.
In: CBU 2011 proceedings: 17th International Symposium on Computational Biomechanics in Ulm, Jürgen Salk et al. (eds.).; 2011. Available at: http://vts.uni-ulm.de/doc.asp?id=7717.
- 2011
A numerical model of the fracture healing process that describes tissue development and revascularisation
Simon U, Augat P, Utz M, et al.
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. 2011;14(1):79–93.
View publication - 2011
Effect of the fixator stiffness on the young regenerate bone after bone transport: Computational approach
Reina-Romo E, Gómez-Benito MJ, Domínguez J, et al.
Journal of Biomechanics. 2011;44(5):917–923.
View publication - 2010
Influence of the fixation stability on the healing time — A numerical study of a patient-specific fracture healing process
Wehner T, Claes L, Niemeyer F, et al.
Clinical Biomechanics. 2010;25(6):606–612.
View publication - 2010
Simulation of the Callus Distraction Treatment
Niemeyer F, Wehner T, Claes L, et al.
In: Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering. Valencia; 2010.
- 2009
Simulation of the nutrient supply in fracture healing
Chen G, Niemeyer F, Wehner T, et al.
J Biomech. 2009;42(15):2575–2583.
View publication - 2006
Simulation of the Bone Healing Process
Simon U, Wehner T, Niemeyer F, et al.
In: Proceedings of ACUM 2006. Stuttgart; 2006.
- 2005
Trabecular bone fracture healing simulation with finite element analysis and fuzzy logic
Shefelbine SJ, Augat P, Claes L, et al.
Journal of Biomechanics . 2005;38(12):2440–2450.
View publication - 2004
3D fracture healing model can help to explain delayed healing with interfragmentary shear movement compared to axial movement
Simon U, Augat P, Claes L.
In: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering. Madrid; 2004.
- 2002
Dynamical Simulation of the Fracture Healing Process Including Vascularity
Simon U, Augat P, Claes L.
In: 13th Conference of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics.Vol 4. Wroclaw, Poland; 2002.
- 2000
A fuzzy logic model of fracture healing
Ament C, Hofer EP.
J Biomech. 2000;33(8):961–968.
View publication - 1999
Magnitudes of local stress and strain along bony surfaces predict the course and type of fracture healing
Claes LE, Heigele CA.
J Biomech. 1999;32(3):255–266.
View publication