Reduced stress shielding with limited micromotions using a carbon fibre composite biomimetic hip stem: a finite element model

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) enjoys excellent rates of success in older patients, but younger patients are still at risk of aseptic loosening and bone resorption from stress shielding. One solution to the stress shielding problem is to use a hip stem with mechanical properties matching those of cortical bone. The objective of the present study was to investigate numerically the biomechanical performance of such a biomimetic hip stem based on a hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated carbon fibre composite. A finite element model (FEM) of the biomimetic stem was constructed. Contact elements were studied to model the bone–implant interface in a non-osseointegrated and osseointegrated state in the best way. Three static load cases representing slow walking, stair climbing, and gait in a healthy individual were considered. Stress shielding and bone–implant interface micromotions were evaluated and compared with the results of a similar FEM based on titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V). The composite stems allowed for reduced stress shielding when compared with a traditional Ti–6Al–4V stem. Micromotions were slightly higher with the composite stem, but remained below 40 μm on most of the HA-coated surface. It is concluded that a biomimetic composite stem might offer a better compromise between stress shielding and micromotions than the Ti–6Al–4V stem with the same external geometry.