Finite Element Model Construction

Abstract This chapter explains the methodology to simulate total hip arthroplasty. Three-dimensional (3D) model of a femur was created from the Visible Human Project computed tomography dataset. Four different models of cementless hip stem were constructed from various file formats. Triangular surface mesh was manually repaired to ensure good finite element model for analyses. The implant surface mesh was then aligned in the femoral canal and the complete arthroplasty model was then converted into solid tetrahedrals. The implant was assigned with linear isotropic properties and the bone was assigned based on their greyscale values. Loads simulating the gait cycle and stair-climbing were used for the simulation. An algorithm to calculate implant-bone relative motion was developed to analyse the interface micromotion. A convergence study was performed and the micromotion algorithm verified.