Time-dependent behavior of cartilage surrounding a metal implant for full-thickness cartilage defects of various sizes: a finite element study

Abstract

Recently, physiological and biomechanical studies on animal models with metal implants filling full-thickness cartilage defects have resulted in good clinical outcomes. The knowledge of the time-dependent macroscopic behavior of cartilage surrounding the metal implant is essential for understanding the joint function after treating such defects. We developed a model to investigate the in vivo time-dependent behavior of the tibiofemoral cartilages surrounding the metal implant, when the joint is subjected to an axial load for various defect sizes. Results show that time-dependent effects on cartilage behavior are significant, and can be simulated. These effects should be considered when evaluating the results from an implant. In particular, the depth into the cartilage where an implant is positioned and the mechanical sealing due to solidification of the poroelastic material need a time aspect. We found the maximal deformations, contact pressures and contact forces in the joint with time for the implant positioned in flush and sunk 0.3 mm into the cartilage. The latter position gives the better joint performance. The results after 60 s may be treated as the primary results, reflecting the effect of accumulation in the joint due to repeated short-time loadings. The wedge-shaped implant showed beneficial in providing mechanical sealing of cartilages surrounding the implant with time.

Focal cartilage defect compromises fluid‐pressure dependent load support in the knee joint

“…The experimental measurements also showed time‐dependent strains in the knee joint . The time dependent mechanical response associated with fluid pressurization has gained increased attention in the joint modeling . Published studies include modeling human knee joints using simplified axisymmetric geometries to reduce convergence difficulties and computing time .…”

“…The experimental measurements also showed time-dependent strains in the knee joint [48,49]. The time dependent mechanical response associated with fluid pressurization has gained increased attention in the joint modeling [49][50][51][52][53][54].…”

3-Year Clinical Result of a Customized Metal Mini-Prosthesis for Focal Chondral Lesion in The Knee Of A Formerly Active 31-Year-Old Man.

“…In order to fill this gap, an innovative, patient-specific metal implant (Episealer) has been designed from MRI-images and the lesion-size, and ongoing CPL (Controlled Product Launch) is taking Place, with almost 2-year follow-up. [11][12][13][14]15,17,18] the aim of this study is to present a case report of the first "Danish patient" with 3 year clinical and radiographic follow-up of this new resurfacing mini-prosthesis [18].…”

Articular Contact Mechanics from an Asymptotic Modeling Perspective: A Review

“…In a marginal pathological situation, a part of the diseased cartilage can be replaced by an artificial tissue (Hung et al, 2003; Mano and Reis, 2007) or even with a metallic implant (Manda and Eriksson, 2012). The corresponding contact problems did not receive much attention so far (Hale et al, 1993; Owen and Wayne, 2011; Manda and Eriksson, 2014).…”