Optimization of Unicondylar Knee Replacement according to Contact Pressure

Abstract

The project deals with contact pressure analysis on two constructional types of modern type of knee prosthesis - the unicompartmental knee replacement. In the first part of the project the contact pressure distribution on replacements is analyzed in two ways. The first method is experimental with using pressure sensitive Pressurex® films. Second approach is a numerical analysis with the support of finite element method (FEM) made in ANSYS Multiphysics 10.0 software package. Results from both approaches are compared at the end of the first part. In the second part the chosen type of replacements is optimized according to contact pressure. The goal was to reduce the contact pressure and to improve its distribution for taking its full advantages.

Keywords

• biomechanics
• knee joint
• unicompartmental replacement
• fem
• contact pressure.