Bone and Joint Institute
Contact analysis of the native radiocapitellar joint compared with axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric radial head hemiarthroplasty
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Journal
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Volume
24
Issue
5
First Page
787
Last Page
795
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/j.jse.2014.12.011
Abstract
© 2015 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Background: Radial head (RH) implants are manufactured from stiff materials, resulting in reduced radiocapitellar contact area that may lead to cartilage degeneration. Although the native RH is nonaxisymmetric, most implants are axisymmetric, potentially contributing to altered contact mechanics. This study compared the joint contact area (Ac) and maximum contact stress (σmax) of axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric RH implants to the native radiocapitellar joint. Methods: The contact mechanics of intact elbows derived from cadaveric computed tomography data (n=15) were compared with axisymmetric (size: 18, 20, 22mm) and nonaxisymmetric (size: 16 × 18, 18 × 20, 20×22mm) RH hemiarthroplasty reconstructed elbows using Abaqus finite element software. Under a100 N load, Ac and σmax were computed for ±90° pronation-supination and 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° flexion. Results: Compared with native, both hemiarthroplasty models produced significantly lower Ac and higher σmax (Pc at 0° and 135° flexion (P=.03, P=.007) and reduced levels of σmax at 45° and 90° flexion (P=.003, Pc and increased σmax for all flexion angles (Pmax (Pc is reduced and σmax is increased. Axisymmetric designs are more consistent throughout forearm rotation and therefore may be more forgiving than the nonaxisymmetric RH implant design used in this study.
