Enhanced In-Silico Polyethylene Wear Simulation of Total Knee Replacements During Daily Activities.

ABSTRACT

A computational wear simulator is an efficient tool for evaluating the wear of artificial knee joints. The classical Archard's wear law-based simulator has questionable accuracy and is focused on walking. In this study, an in silico polyethylene wear simulation of total knee replacements was developed considering the various highly demanding daily activities. A good predicted accuracy (error = 8.1%) was found through comparison of the experimental results. A relatively larger averaged wear loss was found under the loading condition (1.53 mg/mc) of daily activities compared with the walking condition (1.32 mg/mc). The squatting movement (2.57 mg/mc) produces the highest overall wear rate. In addition, a relatively larger amount of wear was found on the medial side knee prosthesis than that on the lateral side. The enhanced in silico polyethylene wear simulator provides an accurate and comprehensive tool for wear prediction in preclinical wear testing.