J. Kerner et al., Correlation between pre-operative periprosthetic bone density and post-operative bone loss in THA can be explained by strain-adaptive remodelling, J BIOMECHAN, 32(7), 1999, pp. 695-703
Periprosthetic adaptive bone remodelling after total hip arthroplasty can b
e simulated in computer models, combining bone remodelling theory with fini
te element analysis. Patient specific three-dimensional finite element mode
ls of retrieved bone specimens from an earlier bone densitometry (DEXA) stu
dy were constructed and bone remodelling simulations performed. Results of
the simulations were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Patter
ns of predicted bone loss corresponded very well with the DEXA measurements
on the retrievals. The amount of predicted bone loss, measured quantitativ
ely by simulating DEXA on finite element models, was found to be inversely
correlated with the initial bone mineral content. It was concluded that the
same clinically observed correlation can therefore be explained by mechani
cally induced remodelling. This finding extends the applicability of numeri
cal pre-clinical testing to the analysis of interaction between implant des
ign and initial state of the bone. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right
s reserved.