The elbow joint and its total arthroplasty. Part II. Finite element study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lewis, Gladius^; | Clark, M.C. | Harber, Mark S. | Vaughan, Michael

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA | Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author.

Abstract: The stresses in various sections of two-dimensional models of the elbow joint, without and with a prosthesis (the humeral component of a total elbow prosthesis), were obtained using the finite element analysis method. Three parameters were varied: type of applied load; method of fixation of the prosthesis to the contiguous bone; and shape of the head of the prosthesis. The results are discussed with particular reference to stress shielding and overload in the cortical and cancellous bones, respectively, and a qualitative comparison between the present values and those given by previous workers who used three-dimensional models. Comments are made regarding the clinical implications of the results.

Keywords: Total elbow arthroplasty, humeral component, finite element stress analysis

DOI: 10.3233/BME-1996-6506

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 367-377, 1996