Fixation Methods of a Joint Prosthesis by Analysis of Finite-Element Methods with Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

Abstract

In the medical treatment of orthopedics, many operations that replace a bone by the implants are conducted. In the case of femoral stem fixation of total hip arthroplasty, initial fixation is important. In this study, the finite-element-method was used to map the stress distribution on the contact area of the virtual model that was constructed from CT data of a prosthetic stem inserting into a femur. As a result, the wider the apparent contact area, the greater the fluctuation. It was concluded that the general idea unconditionally recommending a larger fixation site area for joint prostheses, should be revised.