A laboratory simulation for morselized bone graft fusion: apparent modulus under operatively based femoral impaction kinetics

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. Even a small medial bone defect showed a local stress elevation of 4x compared with that seen with an acetabular implant supported by intact periacetabular bone. Local bone stress was much greater (8x the baseline level) for a defect case in which the loss of bone superior to the acetabular implant permitted significant migration. FEA results showed that a repair of the small defect with a Trabecular Metal restrictor lowered periprosthetic bone stress to a level comparable to that in the case of a primary implant. For the larger defect case, the use of a Trabecular Metal augment provides structural stabilization and helps to restore the THR head center. However, stress in the adjacent periprosthetic bone is lower than that observed in the defect-free acetabulum. In the augment case, the load path between the femoral head and the pelvis now passes through the augment as the superior rim of the acetabulum has been replaced. Contact-induced stress in the augment is similar in magnitude to that seen in the superior rim of the baseline case, although the stress pattern in the augment is noticeably different from that in intact bone.

Stability differentials for proximal vs distal fusion of total hip arthroplasty femoral impaction grafts

In impaction grafting for revision joint arthroplasty, the morselized cancellous bone ideally remodels into a new contiguous lattice. However, the use of biologically active factors may sometimes be indicated to enhance fusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of femoral impaction-graft constructs for which either only the proximal or distal half of the morselized cancellous bone volume was modeled as fused. Fusing the proximal half of the impaction-graft volume resulted in a higher femoral stem stability than did fusing the distal half. This proximal graft fusion also resulted in a stem stability that was similar to that of fusing the entire graft. These results emphasize the importance of proximal fixation of an impaction-grafted femoral stem.

Stability of fused versus nonfused THA femoral impaction grafts

Impaction grafting for THA involves compacting morselized cancellous bone (MCB) into a cavitary defect to build up bone stock. Ideally, the MCB subsequently remodels into a new contiguous cancellous lattice. A recent laboratory model of MCB fusion allows simulating an impaction graft construct in this ideal eventual clinical state. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relative stability of femoral impaction graft constructs in which the MCB has fused versus that for MCB in the freshly impacted nonfused condition. Cemented femoral impaction graft constructs were created in composite femurs. For fused constructs, the MCB was mixed with an amine epoxy that causes the MCB to set up into a contiguous structure biomechanically comparable to intact cancellous bone in compression. The constructs were loaded with 500,000 physiologic gait cycles. Three-dimensional motion was measured between the femur and the stem. The fused femoral impaction grafts were much more stable than the nonfused grafts at the proximal stem location, but MCB fusion had only a modest effect on distal stem stability. These results indicate that most of the opportunity to reduce femoral stem micromotion and migration lies proximal, and that steps to enhance impaction graft remodeling and fusion are most effectively focused proximally.

3D non-linear analysis of the acetabular construct following impaction grafting

The study investigates the short-term behaviour of the acetabular construct following revision hip arthroplasty, carried out using the Slooff-Ling impaction grafting technique; using 3D finite element analyses. An elasto-plastic material model is used to describe the constitutive behaviour of morsellised cortico-cancellous bone (MCB) graft, since it has been shown that MCB undergoes significant plastic deformation under normal physiological loads. Based on previous experimental studies carried out by the authors and others, MCB is modelled using non-linear elasticity and Drucker Prager Cap (DPC) plasticity. Loading associated with walking, sitting down, and standing up is applied to the acetabular cup through a femoral head using smooth sliding surfaces. The analyses yield distinctive patterns of migration and rotation due to different activities. These are found to be similar to those observed in the clinical setting.

Constitutive models for impacted morsellised cortico-cancellous bone

Constitutive models are developed, based on the results of confined compression testing, to describe the visco-elastic, and non-linear elasto-plastic behaviour of morsellised cortico-cancellous bone (MCB). It is found that the elastic modulus, E of MCB can be expressed as a linear function of the applied pressure, p. E varied from 3 to 30N/mm(2) for pressures up to 1N/mm(2). The visco-elastic behaviour of MCB can be described using a fourth-order Prony series. The plastic behaviour of MCB can be described using a Drucker Prager Cap (DPC) yield criterion, in which consolidation behaviour is described using an exponential function. The developed relationships allow MCB to be included in a realistic manner in finite element models, for example of the acetabular construct, following revision hip arthroplasty, carried out using the Slooff-Ling impaction grafting technique.