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Journal of Orthopaedic Science

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01-03-2013 | Original Article

The influence of head diameter and wall thickness on deformations of metallic acetabular press-fit cups and UHMWPE liners: a finite element analysis

Authors: Paul Goebel, Daniel Kluess, Jan Wieding, Robert Souffrant, Horst Heyer, Manuela Sander, Rainer Bader

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

Background

To increase the range of motion of total hip endoprostheses, prosthetic heads need to be enlarged, which implies that the cup and/or liner thickness must decrease. This may have negative effects on the wear rate, because the acetabular cups and liners could deform during press-fit implantation and hip joint loading. We compared the metal cup and polyethylene liner deformations that occurred when different wall thicknesses were used in order to evaluate the resulting changes in the clearance of the articulating region.

Methods

A parametric finite element model utilized three cup and liner wall thicknesses to analyze cup and liner deformations after press-fit implantation into the pelvic bone. The resultant hip joint force during heel strike was applied while the femur was fixed, accounting for physiological muscle forces. The deformation behavior of the liner under joint loading was therefore assessed as a function of the head diameter and the resulting clearance.

Results

Press-fit implantation showed diametral cup deformations of 0.096, 0.034, and 0.014 mm for cup wall thicknesses of 3, 5, and 7 mm, respectively. The largest deformations (average 0.084 ± 0.003 mm) of liners with thicknesses of 4, 6, and 8 mm occurred with the smallest cup wall thickness (3 mm). The smallest liner deformation (0.011 mm) was obtained with largest cup and liner wall thicknesses. Under joint loading, liner deformations in thin-walled acetabular cups (3 mm) reduced the initial clearance by about 50 %.

Conclusion

Acetabular press-fit cups with wall thicknesses of ≤5 mm should only be used in combination with polyethylene liners >6 mm thick in order to minimize the reduction in clearance.

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Title: The influence of head diameter and wall thickness on deformations of metallic acetabular press-fit cups and UHMWPE liners: a finite element analysis
Authors: Paul Goebel
Daniel Kluess
Jan Wieding
Robert Souffrant
Horst Heyer
Manuela Sander
Rainer Bader
Publication date: 01-03-2013
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0949-2658
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-012-0340-7

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The influence of head diameter and wall thickness on deformations of metallic acetabular press-fit cups and UHMWPE liners: a finite element analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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