Ex vivo experimental and numerical study of stresses distribution in human cadaveric tibiae

Abstract

The mechanical behaviour of human bone tissue subject to drilling has been recently reviewed due to its increased clinical interest. However, no published data exist regarding stress analysis during the drilling. In this study, an elasto-plastic dynamic FE model of bone drilling was developed using the human cadaveric tibia obtained with a handheld 3D scanner. The FE model was validated with experimental tests and different drilling conditions were simulated in order to study the stresses distribution during the drilling process. The developed FE model was in good agreement when compared with experimental tests. Results suggest that the use of lower drill speed and higher feed-rate lead to a decrease in the stress level of the treated tibial bone. The developed FE model can be used for future studies and cover not only the mechanical behaviour of human tibiae but also the thermal aspects.