A New Method to Analyse the Mechanical Behaviour of Skeletal Parts

For orthopaedic interventions and studies it is of importance to acquire a sound understanding of the mechanical behaviour of skeletal parts under various physiological loads.This makes it possible to estimate the effects of operations and substitutions, and to predict behaviour under extreme conditions.Moreover, criteria can be established which substitutes and osteosynthesis material should fulfil in mechanical terms.For the prediction of the mechanical behaviour of a given skeletal part, this paper will outline a way to design a model of this part which approximates reality as closely as possible.This means that the model must account for the essential parameters of behaviour.This study intends to demonstrate that a mathematical model designed on the basis of the finite element method is to be preferred to existing techniques of studying the mechanical behaviour of skeletal parts.A number of load situations will be analysed with reference to a two-dimensional model of a femur.A number of results obtained with this mathematical model will be presented.Before discussing the mathematical model, available possibilities will be reviewed.