Biomechanical Effects of Stem Extension of Tibial Components for Medial Tibial Bone Defects in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Finite Element Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effects of stem extension with a medial tibial bone defect in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on load distribution and stress in the proximal tibia using finite element (FE) analysis.FE simulations were performed on the tibia bone to evaluate the stress and strain on the tibia bone and bone cement. This was done to investigate the stress shielding effect, stability of the tibia plate, and the biomechanical effects in TKA models with various medial defects and different stem length models.The results demonstrated that in the bone defect model, the longer the stem, the lower the average von Mises stress on the cortical and trabecular bones. In particular, as the bone defect increased, the average von Mises stress on cortical and trabecular bones increased. The average increase in stress according to the size of the bone defect was smaller in the long stem than in the short stem. The maximal principal strain on the trabecular bone occurred mainly at the contact point on the distal end of the stem of the tibial implant. When a short stem was applied, the maximal principal strain on the trabecular bone was approximately 8% and 20% smaller than when a long stem was applied or when no stem was applied, respectively.The findings suggest that a short stem extension of the tibial component could help achieve excellent biomechanical results when performing TKA with a medial tibial bone defect.

An Image-Based Augmented Reality System for Achieving Accurate Bone Resection in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background and objective With the steady advancement of computer-assisted surgical techniques, the importance of assessing and researching technology related to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures has increased. Augmented reality (AR), a recently proposed next-generation technology, is expected to enhance the precision of orthopedic surgery by providing a more efficient and cost-effective approach. However, the accuracy of image-based AR in TKA surgery has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether accurate bone resection can be achieved in TKA surgery using image-based AR. Methods In this study, we replaced traditional CT imaging and reconstructions for creating a bone 3D model by direct 3D scanning of the femur and tibia. The preoperative planning involved identifying anatomical landmarks and determining the surgical details. During surgery, markers were employed to create a local coordinate system for an AR-assisted surgical system using a Polaris camera. This approach helped minimize discrepancies between the 3D model and actual positioning, ensuring accurate alignment. Results The AR-assisted surgery using the image method resulted in fewer errors [average error: 0.32 mm; standard deviation (SD): 0.143] between the bone resection depth of the preoperative surgical plan and the bone model test results. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated the accuracy of bone resectioning by using image-based AR-assisted navigation for TKA surgery. Image-based AR-assisted navigation in TKA surgery is a valuable tool not only for enhancing accuracy by using smart glasses and sensors but also for improving the efficiency of the procedure. Therefore, we anticipate that image-based AR-assisted navigation in TKA surgery will gain wide acceptance in practice.

Analysis of Gender Differences in the Rotational Alignment of the Distal Femur in Kinematically Aligned and Mechanically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty.

To compare the angle between the external rotation references of the femoral components in the axial plane by gender and lower limb alignment in Korean patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 1273 patients were imported into a modeling software and segmented to develop three-dimensional femoral bony and cartilaginous models. The surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA), posterior condylar axis (PCA), the kinematically aligned axis (KAA), and anteroposterior axis were used as rotational references in the axial plane for mechanically aligned (MA) TKA. The relationship among axes were investigated. Among 1273 patients, 942 were female and 331 were male. According to lower limb alignment, the varus and valgus knee groups comprised 848 and 425 patients, respectively. All measurements, except PCA-sTEA, differed significantly between men and women; all measurements, except PCA-sTEA, did not differ significantly between the varus and valgus knee groups. In elderly Korean patients with OA, rotational alignment of the distal femur showed gender differences, but no differences were seen according to lower limb alignment. The concern for malrotation of femoral components during kinematically aligned TKA is less in Koreans than in Caucasians and relatively less in women than in men. In MA TKA, malrotation of the femoral components can be avoided by setting different rotational alignments for the genders.

Influence of Variation in Sagittal Placement of the Femoral Component after Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Prosthetic alignment is an important factor for long-term survival in cruciate-retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of sagittal placement of the femoral component on tibiofemoral (TF) kinematics and kinetics in CR-TKA. Five sagittal placements of femoral component models with -3, 0, 3, 5, and 7 degrees of flexion are developed. The TF joint kinematics, quadriceps force, patellofemoral contact force, and posterior cruciate ligament force are evaluated using the models under deep knee-bend loading. The kinematics of posterior TF translation is found to occur with the increase in femoral-component flexion. The quadriceps force and patellofemoral contact force decrease with the femoral-component flexion increase. In addition, extension of the femoral component increases with the increase in posterior cruciate ligament force. The flexed femoral component in CR-TKA provides a positive biomechanical effect compared with a neutral position. Slight flexion could be an effective alternative technique to enable positive biomechanical effects with TKA prostheses.

Optimal Design of Patient-Specific Total Knee Arthroplasty for Improvement in Wear Performance.

Life expectancy is on the rise and, concurrently, the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which lasts a lifetime, is increasing. To meet this demand, improved TKA designs have been introduced. Recent advances in radiography and manufacturing techniques have enabled the production of patient-specific TKA. Nevertheless, concerns regarding the wear performance, which limit the lifespan of TKA, remain to be addressed. This study aims at reducing the wear in patient-specific TKA using design optimization and parametric three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) modelling. The femoral component design was implemented in a patient-specific manner, whereas the tibial insert conformity remained to be determined by design variables. The gait cycle loading condition was applied, and the optimized model was validated by the results obtained from the experimental wear tests. The wear predictions were iterated for five million gait cycles using the computational model with force-controlled input. Similar patterns for internal/external rotation and anterior/posterior translation were observed in both initial and optimal models. The wear rates for initial and optimal models were recorded as 23.2 mm3/million cycles and 16.7 mm3/million cycles, respectively. Moreover, the experimental wear rate in the optimal design was 17.8 mm3/million cycles, which validated our optimization procedure. This study suggests that tibial insert conformity is an important factor in influencing the wear performance of patient-specific TKA, and it is capable of providing improved clinical results through enhanced design selections. This finding can boost the future development of patient-specific TKA, and it can be extended to other joint-replacement designs. However, further research is required to explore the potential clinical benefits of the improved wear performance demonstrated in this study.

Biomechanical Effect of UHMWPE and CFR-PEEK Insert on Tibial Component in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement in Different Varus and Valgus Alignments.

The current study aims to analyze the biomechanical effects of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) inserts, in varus/valgus alignment, for a tibial component, from 9° varus to 9° valgus, in unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). The effects on bone stress, collateral ligament force, and contact stress on other compartments were evaluated under gait cycle conditions, by using a validated finite element model. In the UHMWPE model, the von Mises' stress on the cortical bone region significantly increased as the tibial tray was in valgus >6°, which might increase the risk of residual pain, and when in valgus >3° for CFR-PEEK. The contact stress on other UHMWPE compartments decreased in valgus and increased in varus, as compared to the neutral position. In CFR-PEEK, it increased in valgus and decreased in varus. The forces on medial collateral ligaments increased in valgus, when compared to the neutral position in UHMWPE and CFR-PEEK. The results indicate that UKR with UHMWPE showed positive biomechanical outputs under neutral and 3° varus conditions. UKR with CFR-PEEK showed positive biomechanical outputs for up to 6° varus alignments. The valgus alignment should be avoided.

Influence of Dentoalveolar Ankylosis on the Biomechanical Response of a Single-rooted Tooth and Surrounding Alveolar Bone: A 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dentoalveolar ankylosis necessarily accompanies the loss of periodontal ligament (PDL), which might alter the biomechanical response of the tooth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dentoalveolar ankylosis on a single-rooted tooth and the surrounding alveolar bone structures in the biomechanical standpoint. METHODS: A basic model of an intact maxillary central incisor and the surrounding bone structures was chosen for the numeric analysis. From this basic model, 6 different models were further developed by combining 3 types of endodontic status (an intact model, a nonsurgically treated model, and a surgically treated model) and 2 types of periodontal attachment condition (models with or without PDL). For each condition, maximum von Mises stress (σ max) in dentin and bone and maximum tooth displacement (ΔR max) were calculated. RESULTS: In models with dentoalveolar ankylosis, stress was concentrated on the cervical dentin around the cementoenamel junction and the alveolar bone crest, whereas the stress was more evenly distributed along the entire length of the root in models with normal PDL. The models with dentoalveolar ankylosis showed higher stress values in dentin (44.72%-80.56% of σ max increase) and bone (24.23%-80.68% of σ max increase) and lower tooth displacement (59.22%-63.97% of ΔR max decrease) compared with the models with normal PDL. CONCLUSIONS: Dentoalveolar ankylosis exerts significant changes on the biomechanical response of a single-rooted tooth and the surrounding bone structures. The dentoalveolar complex with ankylosis showed characteristic stress concentrations, increased stress values, and decreased tooth displacement compared with that with normal PDL.

Influence of apical root resection on the biomechanical response of a single-rooted tooth-part 2: apical root resection combined with periodontal bone loss.

INTRODUCTION: In a clinical situation, an apically resected tooth is often accompanied by a varying degree of periodontal bone loss. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of apical root resection combined with periodontal bone loss on the biomechanical response of a single-rooted tooth. METHODS: A basic intact model and a basic apically resected model of the upper central incisor were selected for the numerical analysis. From each basic model, 6 models were developed assuming different amounts of periodontal bone loss (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm). Maximum von Mises stress (σ max), maximum tooth displacement (ΔR max), and effective crown-to-root ratio (α) were calculated for each condition. RESULTS: There were only marginal differences (a 2.1% difference in σ max and a 16.9% difference in ΔR max) between the biomechanical responses of the intact model and the apically resected model when the tooth was supported by a normal periodontium. However, when destruction of the periodontium was assumed, the intact model and the apically resected model responded differently. The difference increased as the periodontal bone loss progressed, resulting in a 68.7% difference in σ max and a 56.3% difference in ΔR max when the periodontal bone loss increased to 3 mm (α = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Although the biomechanical response of an apically resected tooth was relatively stable when the tooth was supported by a normal periodontium, the apically resected tooth showed a more deteriorated response compared with the intact tooth as the periodontal bone loss progressed.

Influence of apical root resection on the biomechanical response of a single-rooted tooth: a 3-dimensional finite element analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Apical root resection is a biologically essential component in endodontic microsurgery. However, because it reduces the total root length and supported root surface, it changes the biomechanical response of the tooth. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical effect of apical root resection and to compare apical root resection with periodontal bone loss from a biomechanical standpoint. METHODS: Finite element models of the maxillary central incisor were reconstructed. First, preoperative and surgically treated models were generated to assess the factors altering the biomechanical response of the tooth. Then, apically resected models with different amounts of resection (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mm) were created to estimate the clinically applicable limit of apical root resection. Periodontally destructed models with varying degrees of bone loss (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm) were also created to compare the effect of apical root resection with periodontal bone loss. Stress distribution, tooth displacement, and effective crown-to-root ratio (α) were analyzed for each condition. RESULTS: Apical root resection did not significantly alter the maximum von Mises stress or tooth displacement until it reached 6 mm (α = 0.67) when the tooth was supported by normal periodontium. In contrast, periodontal bone loss had a greater impact on biomechanical response change compared with apical root resection. CONCLUSIONS: For a tooth supported by normal periodontium, 3 mm of apical root resection (α = 1.07) appeared to be mechanically acceptable. The biomechanical influence of apical root resection was weak compared with that of periodontal bone loss.