Finite element analysis of femoral neck stress in relation to pelvic width.

Abstract

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty has been developed as an alternative to traditional total hip arthroplasty, in an effort to minimize the loss of native bone in young patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis. Femoral neck fracture following hip resurfacing is a unique complication; several risk factors are associated with this complication, including female gender. In the present study, we used finite element models of the proximal femur to simulate stresses across the femoral neck in pelvis models with varying widths. This analysis demonstrated an increase in hip reaction forces as the width of the pelvis increases, a condition that simulates a resurfacing condition in a female pelvis. This difference in peak stress on the femoral neck may explain the increased incidence of femoral neck fractures seen in female patients following hip resurfacing.