Computer Simulation of Realistic Three-Dimensional Cemented Hip Arthroplasty: Thermal Osteonecrosis Analysis

Abstract

Many current bone cements have proprietary minor ingredients that affect the chemical kinetics and heat transfer modeling of the exothermic reaction during bone cement polymerization. The geometry and the method of cooling or curing the bone cement can vary by application. We applied a complete numerical model using finite volume methods to investigate temperature history and thermal osteonecrosis analysis during and after bone cement polymerization for a commercial femoral component used in hip arthroplasty. Using a phenomenological kinetic model for energy generation, during bone cement exothermic reaction the effects of precooling and preheating parts of the femoral component before implantation were simulated. Numerical evidence shows that the temperature distribution along the bone depends upon the position of the stem with respect to the exterior bone boundary. Additionally, by precooling the stem, thermal osteonecrosis can be reduced in the bone through evidence of a thermal necrotic plane map of bone. Preheating the stem to above body temperature produces minimal thermal damage of the bone due to limited exposure time.