This report documents the results of a finite element method (FEM) "worst-case" failure analysis of a stemmed, porous-coated tibial revision component that was designed with "slots" to aid in removal. A three-dimensional FEM model of a metal-backed tibia! component was subjected to expected peak loads while being restrained at the stem and unsupported under the plateaus. Stresses in the prosthesis plateau adjacent to the stem were found to exceed yield stress in many areas, and to exceed the expected endurance limit in large areas. We conclude that a stemmed prosthesis with slots is flawed and may be expected to fail if implanted without adequate support for the prosthesis plateau. The long-term effects of bone remodeling may further jeopardize the integrity of this prosthesis. We recommend that this prosthesis not be used in its present design.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.