Effect of Orthopaedic Stem Design on Femur Stress_Shielding

Abstract

Total joint replacement has become a widely accepted treatment for many destructive joint diseases including osteoarthritis and severe pathologic fractures. Of total joint replacements, the hip is one of the most commonly replaced joints. Hip stem design varies from long to short, thick to thin and matt to smooth. In this study the effect of hip stem length on bone remodeling after surgery which knows as stress-shielding effect was analyzed using a finite element technique. Results show that stress-shielding introduced when using long-stem hip is extended that that of using short-stem hip in a total hip replacement.