Three-dimensional finite element analysis is used to explore the influence of several lesion characteristics upon mechanical stress distributions in segmentally necrotic human femoral heads. Variables studied parametrically included apparent modulus deficits within the lesion proper, as well as the depth, width, and location of the infarcted head regions. The detailed patterns of stress redistribution were complex and were found to be a strong function of the specific lesion characteristics. The salient phenomenon, however, was one of preferential load uptake by the stiffer bone surrounding the lesion. Since computed stress reductions within the infarctions were usually much smaller than experimentally observed strength reductions, the data suggest a strong tendency for an elevated incidence of trabecular fatigue fractures in the affected regions.
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Pre-Collapse Stress Redistributions in Femoral Head Osteonecrosis—A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
T. D. Brown,
T. D. Brown
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261
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G. L. Hild
G. L. Hild
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261
Search for other works by this author on:
T. D. Brown
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261
G. L. Hild
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261
J Biomech Eng. May 1983, 105(2): 171-176 (6 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 1983
Article history
Received:
May 19, 1982
Revised:
November 15, 1982
Online:
June 15, 2009
Citation
Brown, T. D., and Hild, G. L. (May 1, 1983). "Pre-Collapse Stress Redistributions in Femoral Head Osteonecrosis—A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis." ASME. J Biomech Eng. May 1983; 105(2): 171–176. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3138402
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