A study on simulation of Human Knee Implant

Abstract

Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the successful surgical techniques, that contributes effectively in the case of cartilage damage helping removing the knee joint deformities and eliminating pain. The process thus enables walking by implanting an artificial metallic knee. Activities like walking, running, sitting, standing at the spot result in different loads acting on the knee joint. The present study focuses on the analysis of the magnitude of the stress and elastic strain considering critical loading conditions i .e. 2200N, 2500N, 3500N & 3000N at 0̊, 20̊, 40̊&60̊angles of flexion respectively. Tibio-femoral contact stresses of fixed bearing knee implant were analyzed using finite element analysis with software ANSYS WORKBENCH 15.0. The material used was ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMPE) for tibial implant and 3 different alloys (cobalt-chromium, titanium and zirconium) under five different combinations being used for the femoral component and the tibial tray. Activities like stair climbing, squatting etc. are accomplished at higher flexion angles resulting in early polyethylene wear. The von Mises stress may vary depending upon degree of flexion, weight and material chosen.