Repair of periprosthetic pelvis defects with porous metal implants: a finite element study.

Periacetabular osteolysis is a potentially difficult surgical challenge, which can often drive the choice of reconstruction methods used in revision hip replacement. For smaller defects, impaction of bone grafts may be sufficient, but larger defects can require filler materials that provide structural support in addition to filling a void. This study utilized finite element analysis (FEA) to examine the state of stress in periprosthetic pelvic bone when subjected to a stair-climbing load and in the presence of two simulated defects, to show the effect of implanting a defect repair implant fabricated from Trabecular Metal.

Comparison of long-term numerical and experimental total knee replacement wear during simulated gait loading.

Pre-clinical experimental wear testing of total knee replacement (TKR) components is an invaluable tool for evaluating new implant designs and materials. However, wear testing can be a lengthy and expensive process, and hence parametric studies evaluating the effects of geometric, loading, or alignment perturbations may at times be cost-prohibitive. The objectives of this study were to develop an adaptive FE method capable of simulating wear of a polyethylene tibial insert and to compare predicted kinematics, weight loss due to wear, and wear depth contours to results from a force-controlled experimental knee simulator.

The role of proximal femoral support in stress development within hip prostheses.

Bone remodeling commonly associated with implant loosening may require revision total hip replacement when there is substantial proximal femoral bone loss. Additionally, the surgical exposure required to remove primary implants may alter the proximal femur's structure. As a result, in many revision hip situations the proximal femur provides compromised support for the revision femoral component.