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Stress Shielding Minimized In Femoral Hip Implants A Finite Element Model Optimized By Virtual Compatibility

Bone mechanics and traditional implant materials produce a recurring problem for patients of total hip arthroplasty (THA): the bone is “shielded” from the loading it has become accustomed to over many years of development. Bone adheres to what is called “Wolff’s Law”, meaning it is an adaptive structure which adjusts its geometry based on the loads experienced over its life (Pearson; Goldstein). As the new femoral hip implant transmits reduced stresses to the remaining bone, bone tissue atrophies at the interface, permitting loosening of the implant, pain, and thereby obliging additional surgery to correct the issue (Meade). In the present work, a methodology is endeavored for creating an innovative design for femoral hip implants. The approach uncouples the finite element implant model from the bone model, in order to focus solely on expected behavior within the implant while considering the varying material behavior in unique directions and locations. The implant’s internal geometry is optimized in order to better match typical, intact bone conditions. The eventual design reduces extreme changes in stresses within remnant bone such that the implant will remain implanted for greater periods of time without additional surgical attention.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-2924
Date01 January 2011
CreatorsFeldt, Christian E
PublisherSTARS
Source SetsUniversity of Central Florida
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceElectronic Theses and Dissertations

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