Abstract
Impulsive stress wave propagating from the distal end of femur was analyzed by the dynamic finite element method. In this study, two types of three-dimensional finite element model of the femur, namely the models of the femur and that after the total hip arthroplasty were prepared. The influence of the impact angle considering walking or going up and down stairs on the stress wave propagating in the femur was discussed in the present study. The propagation of the stress wave in the femur was influenced by the insertion of the femoral stem. The stress wave with large absolute value of principal stress was not found in the proximal femur around the femoral stem, and the maximum principal stress increased on posterior side of the femoral mid-diaphysis when the angle between the bone axis and the impact direction in the sagittal plane was 60 degree. As the impact angle increased, it seems that the stress wave was affected by the impact bending.
