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A 3D finite element model to investigate prosthetic interface stresses of different posterior tibial slope

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Posterior tibial slope that is created during proximal tibial resection in total knee arthroplasty has emerged as an important factor in the mechanics of the knee joint and the surgical outcome. But the ideal degree of posterior tibial slope for recovery of the knee joint function and preventions of complications remains controversial and should vary in different racial groups. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of posterior tibial slope on contact stresses in the tibial polyethylene component of total knee prostheses.

Methods

Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to calculate contact stresses in tibial polyethylene component of total knee prostheses subjected to a compressive load. The 3D finite element model of total knee prosthesis was constructed from the images produced by 3D scanning technology. Stresses in tibial polyethylene component were calculated with four different posterior tibial slopes (0°, 3°, 6° and 9°).

Results

The 3D finite element model of total knee prosthesis we presented was well validated. We found that the stress distribution in the polythene as evaluated by the distributions of the von Mises stress, the maximum principle stress, the minimum principle stress and the Cpress were more uniform with 3° and 6° posterior tibial slopes than with 0° and 9° posterior tibial slopes. Moreover, the peaks of the above stresses and trends of changes with increasing degree of knee flexion were more ideal with 3° and 6° posterior slopes.

Conclusions

The results suggested that the tibial component inclination might be favourable to 7°–10° so far as the stress distribution is concerned. The range of the tibial component inclination also can decrease the wear of polyethylene. Chinese posterior tibial slope is bigger than in the West, and the current domestic use of prostheses is imported from the West, so their demands to tilt back bone cutting can lead to shorten the service life of prostheses; this experiment result is of important clinical significance, guiding orthopaedic surgeon after the best angle to cut bone.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are honoured to acknowledge the financial support of the Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (09410706100). The authors would like to thank Dr. Weiping Ren for his technical support in the experiments.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 DongFang Road, Shanghai, 200127, China

    Yi Shen, Xiaomiao Li, Xiaodong Fu & Weili Wang

Authors
  1. Yi Shen
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  2. Xiaomiao Li
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  3. Xiaodong Fu
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  4. Weili Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaomiao Li.

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Shen, Y., Li, X., Fu, X. et al. A 3D finite element model to investigate prosthetic interface stresses of different posterior tibial slope. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 3330–3336 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3144-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3144-9

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