Title: Stress analysis of normal and osteoarthritic femur using finite element analysis

Authors: A.H. Elkholy, D.N. Ghista, F.S. D'Souza, M.S. Kutty

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait. ' Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, United Arab Emirates. ' Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, United Arab Emirates. ' Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, United Arab Emirates

Abstract: Stress distribution within the normal and osteoarthritic femur is studied using plane stress finite element analysis. During the progress of osteoarthritis of hip, the resultant load transferred from the acetabulum to the femur, instead of acting over a large area is reduced considerably. Also, the resultant load changes its direction becoming more vertical in advanced stages of the disease. This alters the stress distribution within the femur. Regions of extremely low stresses are observed at the outer layers of the femur head which may cause the bone to atrophy resulting in void formation. As a follow up, we have modelled these voids as stress raisers. Subsequent analysis reveal stress concentration in the immediate neighbourhood of the voids suggesting these areas as potential sites for microfractures which may eventually lead to femoral neck fractures.

Keywords: biomechanics; hip osteoarthritis; finite element analysis; FEA; trabecular microfractures; stress concentration; stress analysis; normal femur; osteoarthritic femur; void formation; femoral neck fractures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2005.006958

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2005 Vol.22 No.4, pp.205 - 211

Published online: 27 Apr 2005 *

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