Effect of cartilage thickness mismatch in osteochondral grafting from knee to talus on articular contact pressures: A finite element analysis

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cartilage thickness mismatch on tibiotalar articular contact pressure in osteochondral grafting from femoral condyles to medial talar dome using a finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and methods: Flush-implanted osteochondral grafting was performed on the talar centromedial aspect of the dome using osteochondral plugs with two different cartilage thicknesses. One of the plugs had an equal cartilage thickness with the recipient talar cartilage and the second plug had a thicker cartilage representing a plug harvested from the knee. The ankle joint was loaded during a single-leg stance phase of gait. Tibiotalar contact pressure, frictional stress, equivalent stress (von Mises values), and deformation were analyzed. Results: In both osteochondral grafting simulations, tibiotalar contact pressure, frictional stress, equivalent stress (von Mises values) on both tibial and talar cartilage surfaces were restored to near-normal values. Conclusion: Cartilage thickness mismatch does not significantly change the tibiotalar contact biomechanics, when the graft is inserted flush with the talar cartilage surface.

The effect of talus osteochondral defects of different area size on ankle joint stability: a finite element analysis

“…Appropriate treatment should be taken according to the clinical manifestations of the patient, and conservative treatment methods can be considered. Studies have been conducted on the area defect above 6 mm in diameter [33,34]. However, it has not been reported whether the defect below 6 mm affects the stability of the ankle joint.…”

Model Properties and Clinical Application in the Finite Element Analysis of Knee Joint: A Review

“…Kilicaslan et al performed a finite element study on cartilage grafts, and the mismatch between the cartilage thickness of the graft and the cartilage surface had little effect on the biomechanics of the joint when the graft was flush with the cartilage surface. 90 Finite element analysis could also be used in bone fracture research and treatments. MacLeod et al developed a new HTO plate, a large span plate that significantly reduced the range of high skeletal strain and increased the movement between fracture fragments.…”

“…Kilicaslan et al . performed a finite element study on cartilage grafts, and the mismatch between the cartilage thickness of the graft and the cartilage surface had little effect on the biomechanics of the joint when the graft was flush with the cartilage surface 90 …”

Investigation of postero-anterior mobilization in the lumbar spine: A finite element analysis study

“…We can use finite element analysis (FEA), which has become popular in recent years, to better understand lumbar biomechanics, make better choices, and formulate therapeutic decisions. It can be used as a non-invasive method to evaluate the biomechanical efficacy and properties of new and existing treatments [11,12]. In addition, there are a limited number of studies in the literature evaluating the biomechanical effects of PA mobilization [13].…”