Risk Prediction of Femoral Head Necrosis: A Finite Element Analysis Based on Fracture Mechanics

Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to explore the effect of initial lesions on the course of femoral head necrosis. A fracture mechanics model of the femoral head was developed and validated using the computed tomography (CT) scan images of a healthy volunteer and material mechanics test results of fresh femur samples. The dynamic development of stresses and fractures of the femoral head with various initial lesions were simulated under various loads. The results showed that the initial lesion of the femoral head spreads faster and collapses deeper as the load increases. The location of the initial lesion has a significant effect on the collapse of the femoral head. The lesions in the anterior and lateral areas of the femoral head are more likely to accelerate the collapse of the femoral head than the lesions in other areas. This study is helpful in predicting the collapse risk and guiding the daily activities of patients with femoral head necrosis. Additionally, this study helps doctors to make better decisions about treatment options.