Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to validate a diaphyseal femoral fracture model using a finite element analysis (FEA) with mechanical testing in fresh-frozen cadavers.MethodsWe used 18 intact femora (9 right and 9 left) from 9 fresh-frozen cadavers. Specimens were obtained from 5 males and 4 females with a mean age of 85.6 years. We compared a computed tomography (CT)-based FEA model to diaphyseal femoral fracture loads and stiffness obtained by three-point bending. Four material characteristic conversion equations (the Keyak, Carter, and Keller equations plus Keller’s equation for the vertebra) with different shell thicknesses (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mm) were compared with the mechanical testing.ResultsThe average fracture load was 4582.8 N and the mean stiffness was 942.0 N/mm from actual mechanical testing. FEA prediction using Keller’s equation for the vertebra with a 0.4-mm shell thickness showed the best correlations with the fracture load (R2 = 0.76) and stiffness (R2 = 0.54). Shell thicknesses of 0.3 and 0.5 mm in Keller’s equation for the vertebra also showed a strong correlation with fracture load (R2 = 0.66 for both) and stiffness (R2 = 0.50 and 0.52, respectively). There were no significant correlations with the other equations.ConclusionWe validated femoral diaphyseal fracture loads and stiffness using an FEA in a cadaveric study.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to validate a diaphyseal femoral fracture model using a finite element analysis (FEA) with mechanical testing in fresh-frozen cadavers
Using a 0.3-mm outer cortex, the data were not correlated to the estimated value from the three FEA equations by Keyak, Carter, or Keller (R2 = 0.013, 0.056, 0.039, p = 0.66, 0.35, 0.44, respectively)
We propose that the Keller-vertebra equation is a suitable material characteristic conversion equation for the FEA of the femoral diaphysis when an FEA of femoral diaphyseal fractures is applied to examine stress distribution
Summary
The purpose of this study was to validate a diaphyseal femoral fracture model using a finite element analysis (FEA) with mechanical testing in fresh-frozen cadavers. Proximal femoral fractures are common in the elderly, femoral shaft fractures are seen in all generations. Because of the difference of fracture type and bone quality, we may need individual consideration of proximal femoral fracture and femoral diaphyseal fracture. Computed tomography-based finite element analysis (CT-based FEA) has been widely used for mechanical analysis of the femur. Many reports have described fracture models of the femur following traffic. The aim of this study is to validate the newly constructed CT-based FEA models of the femur by comparing with the data obtained from the actual mechanical fracture tests using the original fresh-frozen cadaveric femurs
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