ANALYZING THE PERFORMANCE OF HIP CEMENT SPACERS: INVESTIGATION OF CRACK BEHAVIOR THROUGH A MULTISCALE APPROACH

Abstract

Close collaboration between surgeons and engineers is paramount in the intricate process of designing and evaluating hip joint prostheses. In revision surgeries, cement spacers play a vital role, but their effectiveness hinges on the reinforcement of the cement, bone, and femur to minimize stress. To assess the fracture behavior of reinforced spacers, we employ a comprehensive three-dimensional approach that analyzes the three primary materials used for full stems: titanium, ceramics, and stainless steel. Our analysis focuses on evaluating the von Mises stress and stress intensity factor along the crack tip using linear elastic analysis. Additionally, we utilize the extended finite element Method (X-FEM) to simulate crack initiation and propagation in non-reinforced cement spacers. By comparing the results obtained from these two methods, we gain valuable insights into the influence of different materials on the performance and durability of reinforced spacers. Our findings unequivocally demonstrate that reinforcing spacers with ceramic and stainless-steel full stems are exceptionally effective techniques for enhancing the strength of hip spacers. Specifically, we observed a significant reduction of stress levels by 30% in various hip prosthesis components, along with a notable 23% decrease in the stress intensity factor for spacers reinforced with ceramic stems. These insights are invaluable for spacer designers and can contribute significantly to improving the durability of hip joint prostheses, ultimately minimizing the need for early hip revisions.