The Biomechanics of a Validated Finite Element Model of Stress Shielding in a Novel Hybrid Total Knee Replacement

This study proposes a novel hybrid total knee replacement (TKR) design to improve stress transfer to bone in the distal femur and, thereby, reduce stress shielding and consequent bone loss. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models were developed for a standard and a hybrid TKR and validated experimentally. The Duracon knee system (Stryker Canada) was the standard TKR used for the FE models and for the experimental tests. The FE hybrid device was identical to the standard TKR, except that it had an interposing layer of carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide 12 lining the back of the metallic femoral component. A series of experimental surface strain measurements were then taken to validate the FE model of the standard TKR at 3000 N of axial compression and at 0° of knee flexion. Comparison of surface strain values from FE analysis with experiments demonstrated good agreement, yielding a high Pearson correlation coefficient of R² = 0.94. Under a 3000 N axial load and knee flexion angles simulating full stance (0°), heel strike (20°), and toe off (60°) during normal walking gait, the FE model showed considerable changes in maximum Von Mises stress in the region most susceptible to stress shielding (i.e. the anterior region, just behind the flange of the femoral implant). Specifically, going from a standard to a hybrid TKR caused an increase in maximum stress of 87.4 per cent (0°; from 0.15 to 0.28 MPa), 68.3 per cent (20°; from 1.02 to 1.71 MPa), and 12.6 per cent (60°; from 2.96 to 3.33 MPa). This can potentially decrease stress shielding and subsequent bone loss and knee implant loosening. This is the first report to propose and biomechanically to assess a novel hybrid TKR design that uses a layer of carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide 12 to reduce stress shielding.