Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs.

Contact stress in hips with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Daniel M, Herman S, Dolinar D, Iglic A, Sochor M, Kralj-Iglic V

Czech Technical University, Praha, Czech Republic.

Contact stress distribution in the articular surface of the hip is considered a factor in the development of osteoarthritis, a common complication in hips with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. We present evidence supporting the hypothesis that osteoarthritis in hips with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head can be caused by elevated contact stress related to the reduced load-bearing ability of the necrotic bone. By using a previously validated mathematical model, we observed that hip contact stress may increase considerably if the load-bearing capacity of the necrotic lesion is decreased, if the size of the necrotic segment is increased, and if the necrotic segment is located more laterally. These effects are affected by the intrinsic shape of the hip. As the estimated values of stress in hips with osteonecrosis are in the range obtained by the same method in dysplastic hips, osteoarthritis in hips with osteonecrosis can be caused by elevated contact stress.

Published 9 June 2006 in Clin Orthop Relat Res, 447: 92-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Biomechanics Research Today. All Rights Reserved.