Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the structure capacity of proximal femur during falling--(II). The effects of falling configuration and load locations on the structural capacity of the proximal femur / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

The effects of loading conditions on the structural capacity of the proximal femur were investigated parametrically by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) combined with Hoffman failure criterion. The loading conditions included the fall configuration angles, load locations and the friction resistance in hip joint. The results of this parametric study revealed that the load locations are the keys to determining the structural capacity of the proximal femur. There are two low peaks of the structural capacity when the loads are applied to femoral head. If the impact load were applied in this area, the fracture risk would be great. The frictional resistance of the hip joint can severely affect the failure load, which has far reaching implications in terms of osteoarthritis.