Finite element thermal analysis of bone cement for joint replacements.
A finite element technique was developed to investigate the thermal behavior of bone cement in joint replacement procedures. Thermal tests were designed and performed to provide the parameters in a kinetic model of bone cement exothermic polymerization. The kinetic model was then coupled with an energy balance equation using a finite element formulation to predict the temperature history and polymerization development in the bone-cement-prosthesis system. Based on the temperature history, the possibility of the thermal bone necrosis was then evaluated. As a demonstration, the effect of cement mantle thickness on the thermal behavior of the system was investigated. The temperature profiles in the bone-cement-prosthesis system have shown that the thicker the cement, the higher the peak temperature in the bone. In the 7 mm thick cement case, a peak temperature of over 55 degrees C was predicted. These high temperatures occurred in a small region near the bone/cement interface. No damage was predicted in the 3 mm and 5 mm cement mantle thickness cases. Although thermal damage was predicted in the bone for the 7 mm mantle thickness case, the amount of thermal necrosis predicted was minimal. If more cement is used in the surgical procedure, more heat will be generated and the potential for thermal bone damage may rise. The systems should be carefully selected to reduce thermal tissue damage when more cement is used. The methodology developed in this paper provides a numerical tool for the quantitative simulation of the thermal behavior of bone-cement-prosthesis designs.
Li
Chaodi
C
Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Kotha
Shiva
S
Huang
Chen-Hsi
CH
Mason
James
J
Yakimicki
Don
D
Hawkins
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002484:Cementation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013696:Temperature; D013814:Thermal Conductivity
D001843:Bone Cements