ABSTRACT
Objective To establish the three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with 3° and 7° posterior tibial slope at different knee flexion angles, and to study biomechanical properties and prosthetic wear of the knee joints with two types of posterior tibia slope and their effects on knee function. Methods Combining CT and MRI images of human knee joints with the 3rd-generation Oxford prosthesis, the finite element UKA model with 3° and 7° posterior tibia slope were established. The 1 kN load was applied to center point of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur to simulate the standing load of human body. The maximum stresses and distributions of the prosthesis and articular cartilage at different knee flexion angles were analyzed. ResultsThe maximum stress of the meniscus liner with 3° posterior tibia slope at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° knee flexion angles increased by 28.06%, 68.99%, 19.45%, 21.06% and 53.38%, the distribution area was concentrated from the side of the meniscus liner to the central area, and the stress concentration was obvious at 120° knee flexion. The maximum stress of prosthesis with 3° posterior tibia slope was greater than that with 7 ° posterior tibia slope. The expansion of stress concentration area would cause wear and loosening of the prosthesis, contact stress and concentration area of the articular cartilage would subsequently increase with posterior tibia slope increasing, and stress concentration would be more obvious at high knee flexion angles. Conclusions Tibial prosthesis has the higher stress and greater wear under the condition of 3° posterior tibia slope than 7° posterior tibia slope. The research findings provide theoretical basis for the UKA design in clinic.