Development and Finite Element (FE) analysis of a novel short hip stem concept.

Introduction: In order to improve the anchorage behavior of short hip stems, this development project aims at designing a short hip stem concept that preserves the femoral neck and minimizes interference with the physiological stress distribution of the femur. The new design will be evaluated according to ISO 7206-4 which is the standard for testing Implants for surgery. Methods: Basic CAD models based on an established short stem prosthesis were created and evaluated using finite element analysis. The best design was further developed to achieve a more deformable stem while maintaining stability. The model was validated through in vitro testing. Results: The "H-Beam" short stem showed a higher degree of deformation of approximately 142-144% compared to the established short stem. The FE model had a relative error of 0.98% and 1.07% compared to the in vitro tests. An operating procedure was outlined for this new short stem design. Discussion: The FE model is deemed valid due to small differences in comparison to in vitro testing. The short-stem prosthesis is more flexible and can be easily adapted to individual anatomy during surgery. The prosthesis length is similar to conventional prostheses, but the new stem design could allow better and faster osteointegration while preserving the cancellous bone structure.

Micromotion measurement at the interfaces of cemented tibial endoprosthetic replacements: A new standardized in vitro model using open-cell rigid foam.

Early aseptic loosening following primary total knee arthroplasty related to several factors might appear at the interface implant-cement or cement-bone. A standardized in vitro model might provide information on the relevance of single variable parameter of cementation including technique and cement respectively bone structure on fixation strength. Micromotion measurement using different directions of load should detect the primary stability of the interfaces. An open-cell rigid foam model was used for cementation of PFC-Sigma tibial trays with Palacos®. Pins were applied to the model for continuous non-destructive measurement. Relative micromotions for rotation, valgus-varus and extension flexion stress were detected at the interfaces as well as cement penetration was measured. The reproducibility of the measurement could be shown for all interfaces in extension-flexion movements. For rotation a negative trend was shown for the interface cement-prosthesis and cement-bone concerning varus-valgus stress reflecting varying surgical cementation technique. More micromotion related to extension-flexion force might reflect the design of the implant. Measurement of relative micromotion and cement distribution appear accurate to detect small differences of movement at different interfaces of cemented tibial implants and the results are reproducible for most parameter. An increased number of specimens should achieve statistical relevance for all measurements.

Acoustical determination of primary stability of femoral short stem during uncemented hip implantation.

BACKGROUND: Preparing the medullary space of the femur aims to create an ideal form-fitting of cementless implants to provide sufficient initial stability, which is crucial for osseous integration, ensuring good long-term results. Hammering the implant into the proximal femur creates a press-fit anchoring of the endoprosthesis in the medullary space. Implanting the optimal size of the shaft for best fitting should avoid damage to the bone. Modified acoustic signals in connection with implantation are being detected by surgeons and might be related to the primary stability of the implant. METHODS: This study aims to explore the relationship between frequency sound patterns and the change in stem stability. For this purpose, n = 32 Metha® short stems were implanted in a clinical setting by the same surgeon. During implantation, the sounds were recorded. To define a change in the acoustic system response during the operation, the individual blows of the implantation sequence were correlated with one another. FINDINGS: An algorithm was able to subdivide through sound analysis two groups of hammer blows (area 1 and area 2) since the characteristics of these groups showed significant differences within the frequency range of 100 Hz to 24 kHz. The edge between both groups, detected by the algorithm, was validated with expert surgeons' classifications of the same data. INTERPRETATION: In conclusion, monitoring, the hammer blows sound might allow quantification of the primary stability of the implant. Sound analysis including patient parameters and a classification algorithm could provide a precise characterization of implant stability.

Retrospective clinical and X-ray-based outcome analysis of a short-stem hip arthroplasty taking into account the operative learning curve over 7 years in the 3-year control course.

INTRODUCTION: Self-monitoring is crucial to work progressively with a high-quality standard. A retrospective analysis is a valuable tool for studying the postoperative outcome of a prosthesis and for evaluating the learning process for the surgeon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The learning process of one surgeon was analysed in 133 cases of hip arthroplasty. These were divided into seven groups representing the surgical years 2008-2014. Over the course of 3 postoperative years, a total of 655 radiographs were analysed at regarding three radiological quality parameters (centrum-collum-diaphyseal angle (CCD angle), intramedullary fit&fill ratio (FFR), and migration) and ancillary outcome parameters (Harris Hip Score (HHS), blood loss, operating time, and complications). This period was divided into five times: 1st-day post-op, 6 M, 12 M, 24 M, and 36 M. Bivariate Spearman's correlation analysis and pairwise comparisons were performed. RESULTS: The total collective achieved a proximal FFR of over 0.8. The distal prosthesis tip migrated and was located on the lateral cortex within the first months. The CCD angle initially showed a variation with a subsequent constant course. The HHS showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) to over 90 points postoperatively. Over time, the operating time and blood loss decreased. Intraoperative complications existed only at the beginning of the learning phase. A learning curve effect can be determined for almost all parameters by comparing the subject groups. CONCLUSIONS: Operative expertise was shown to gain through a learning curve, whereby postoperative results corresponded to the system philosophy of the short hip stem prosthesis. The distal FFR and the distal lateral distance could represent the principle of the prosthesis, which overall could be an interesting approach for verification of a new parameter.

Influence of muscle traction on the primary stability of a reverse humeral prosthesis.

Background: Currently, the influence of muscle traction on the postoperative stability of humeral prostheses is not adequately researched. This study analyzed the prosthesis' stability in vitro during muscle traction considering different bone defect sizes. Methods: The reverse humeral prosthesis "AEQUALIS™ ADJUSTABLE REVERSED" (Stryker) was implanted using press-fit into ten bones with a length of 200 mm and 160 mm. Subsequently, the models were torqued in 30 cycles using a universal testing machine (2 Nm - 6 Nm) and loaded axially to simulate muscle traction. The axial weight increased from 7.7 kg (pure muscle traction) over 40 kg (45-degree abduction) to 69.3 kg (90-degree abduction). The prosthesis' relative micromotion was simultaneously measured at three different measurement heights using high-sensitivity displacement transducers and compared to the relative micromotion without axial load. Results: It was found that a larger torsional moment was associated with a larger relative micromotion in both bone defects studied. However, the influence became significant (P < 0.014) in bone models with predominantly larger defect.Furthermore, no significant influence of muscle traction on relative micromotion could be detected for the larger bone models at any of the measurement levels (P = 1.000). In contrast, smaller bones showed no significant differences in muscle traction until a torsional moment of 6 Nm (P < 0.028). Conclusion: In conclusion, a larger torsional moment is associated with a higher relative micromotion and muscle traction, conclusively, has no effect on the primary stability of the reverse prosthesis for a 200 mm bone in vitro.

Development and validation of an algorithm to determine the minimal factors needed for non-invasive measurement of the in vivo primary stability of cementless hip implants.

Aseptic loosening is a frequent cause for revision of endoprosthesis. X-ray examinations like Radio-Stereometry-Analysis (RSA) are among the most widely used in vivo methods for its detection. Nevertheless, this method is not used routinely because of bone marker and related radiation exposure. This work aims at creating a new in vivo concept to detect implant stability measuring micromotions without x-ray and to develop a corresponding algorithm. Based on the assumption of contactless measurement, the input parameters for the algorithm are the distances of each ultrasound sensor to the object (prosthesis and bone) and its position. First, the number of parameters necessary for a precise reconstruction and measurement of micromotions between objects had to be defined. Therefore, the algorithm has been tested with simulations of these parameters. Two experimental measurements, either using contact sensors or ultrasound, were used to prove the accuracy of the algorithm. Simulations indicate a high accuracy with three distances as initial parameters for each object. Contact measurements show precise representation of micromotion, and the contactless measurements show the possibility of detecting various materials with a high resolution. This work lays the foundations for non-invasive detection of micromotions between the implant-bone interface.