Peri-implant stress correlates with bone and cement morphology: Micro-FE modeling of implanted cadaveric glenoids

Surface coating of orthopedic implant to enhance the osseointegration and reduction of bacterial colonization: a review

The use of orthopedic implants in surgical technology has fostered restoration of physiological functions. Along with successful treatment, orthopedic implants suffer from various complications and fail to offer functions correspondent to native physiology. The major problems include aseptic and septic loosening due to bone nonunion and implant site infection due to bacterial colonization. Crucial advances in material selection in the design and development of coating matrixes an opportunity for the prevention of implant failure. However, many coating materials are limited in in-vitro testing and few of them thrive in clinical tests. The rate of implant failure has surged with the increasing rates of revision surgery creating physical and sensitive discomfort as well as economic burdens. To overcome critical pathogenic activities several systematic coating techniques have been developed offering excellent results that combat infection and enhance bone integration. This review article includes some more common implant coating matrixes with excellent in vitro and in vivo results focusing on infection rates, causes, complications, coating materials, host immune responses and significant research gaps. This study provides a comprehensive overview of potential coating technology, with functional combination coatings which are focused on ultimate clinical practice with substantial improvement on in-vivo tests. This includes the development of rapidly growing hydrogel coating techniques with the potential to generate several accurate and precise coating procedures.

On the limits of finite element models created from (micro)CT datasets and used in studies of bone-implant-related biomechanical problems

Patient-specific approach is gaining a wide popularity in computational simulations of biomechanical systems. Simulations (most often based on the finite element method) are to date routinely created using data from imaging devices such as computed tomography which makes the models seemingly very complex and sophisticated. However, using a computed tomography in finite element calculations does not necessarily enhance the quality or even credibility of the models as these depend on the quality of the input images. Low-resolution (medical-)CT datasets do not always offer detailed representation of trabecular bone in FE models and thus might lead to incorrect calculation of mechanical response to external loading. The effect of image resolution on mechanical simulations of bone-implant interaction has not been thoroughly studied yet. In this study, the effect of image resolution on the modeling procedure and resulting mechanical strains in bone was analyzed on the example of cranial implant. For this purpose, several finite element models of bone interacting with fixation-screws were generated using seven computed tomography datasets of a bone specimen but with different image resolutions (ranging from micro-CT resolution of 25 μm to medical-CT resolution of 1250 μm). The comparative analysis revealed that FE models created from images of low resolution (obtained from medical computed tomography) can produce biased results. There are two main reasons: 1. Medical computed tomography images do not allow generating models with complex trabecular architecture which leads to substituting of the intertrabecular pores with a fictitious mass; 2. Image gray value distribution can be distorted resulting in incorrect mechanical properties of the bone and thus in unrealistic or even completely fictitious mechanical strains. The biased results of calculated mechanical strains can lead to incorrect conclusion, especially when bone-implant interaction is investigated. The image resolution was observed not to significantly affect stresses in the fixation screw itself; however, selection of bone material representation might result in significantly different stresses in the screw.

Intersurgeon and intrasurgeon variability in preoperative planning of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: a quantitative comparison of 49 cases planned by 9 surgeons

BACKGROUND

Preoperative planning software is widely available for most anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) systems. It can be most useful in determining implant selection and placement with advanced glenoid wear. The purpose of this study was to quantify inter- and intrasurgeon variability in preoperative planning of a series of ATSA cases.

METHODS

Forty-nine computed tomography scans were planned for ATSA by 9 fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons using the ExactechGPS platform (Exactech Inc., Gainesville, FL, USA). Each case was planned a second time between 4 and 12 weeks later. Variability within and between surgeons was measured for implant type, size, version and inclination correction, and implant face position. Interclass correlation coefficients, Pearson, and Light's kappa coefficients were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

There was considerable variation in the frequency of augment use between surgeons and between rounds for the same surgeon. Thresholds for augment use also varied between surgeons. Interclass correlation coefficients for intersurgeon variability were 0.37 for version, 0.80 for inclination, 0.36 for implant type, and 0.36 for implant size. Pearson coefficients for intrasurgeon variability were 0.17 for version and 0.53 for inclination. Light's kappa coefficient for implant type was 0.64.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates substantial inter- and intrasurgeon variability in preoperative planning of ATSA. Although the magnitude of differences in correction was small, surgeons differed significantly in the use of augments to achieve the resultant plan. Surgeons differed from each other on thresholds for augment use and maximum allowable residual retroversion. This suggests that there may a range of acceptable corrections for each shoulder rather than a single optimal plan.

Glenoid bone strain after anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty: In vitro measurements with micro-CT and digital volume correlation

Glenoid implant loosening remains a major source of failure and concern after anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). It is assumed to be associated with eccentric loading and excessive bone strain, but direct measurement of bone strain after aTSA is not available yet. Therefore, our objective was to develop an in vitro technique for measuring bone strain around a loaded glenoid implant. A custom loading device (1500 N) was designed to fit within a micro-CT scanner, to use digital volume correlation for measuring displacement and calculating strain. Errors were evaluated with three pairs of unloaded scans. The average displacement random error of three pairs of unloaded scans was 6.1 µm. Corresponding systematic and random errors of strain components were less than 806.0 µε and 2039.9 µε, respectively. The average strain accuracy (MAER) and precision (SDER) were 694.3 µε and 440.3 µε, respectively. The loaded minimum principal strain (8738.9 µε) was 12.6 times higher than the MAER (694.3 µε) on average, and was above the MAER for most of the glenoid bone volume (98.1%). Therefore, this technique proves to be accurate and precise enough to eventually compare glenoid implant designs, fixation techniques, or to validate numerical models of specimens under similar loading.

Intraoperative Efficiency in Contemporary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Is Manual Pressure During Cement Curing Still Necessary With Interference Fit Pegged Glenoids?

INTRODUCTION

No previous data have demonstrated the effect of manual pressure during cement curing on interference-fit glenoid implant fixation in total shoulder arthroplasty. In this study, we examined cement mantle characteristics and implant seating using two different methods of securing an interference-fit glenoid implant with peripheral cemented pegs: a manual pressure technique versus a pressureless technique.

METHODS

Sixteen cadaveric scapulae were harvested, and their glenoids were prepared for component insertion. Glenoids with an interference-fit central peg were cemented into the peripheral holes and fully seated. Two techniques were employed during cement curing: (1) a manual pressure technique (8 glenoids), which used a static 70 N load application to each implant for 10 minutes; and (2) a pressureless technique (8 glenoids), which used no pressure application, and the implant was left to set without intervention. Each glenoid was subsequently imaged using microcomputed tomography and analyzed for differences in cement mantle characteristics and implant seating.

RESULTS

The mean area of cement penetration for the manual pressure technique was not statistically different from the pressureless group (P = .26, valid N = 288). The average implant incongruity after final seating in the manual pressure group was 0.63 mm, compared with 1.0 mm in the pressureless group. A linear mixed effects model with a Kenward-Roger correction was used to compare the two groups, and no significant difference was found (Mdiff = -0.386, 95% confidence interval: -0.978 to 0.206; P = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

Manual pressure of the glenoid component during cement curing yielded no difference in the cement mantle area or final implant seating incongruity compared with a pressureless technique. This knowledge could potentially benefit both the surgeon and the patient by increasing the efficiency in total shoulder arthroplasty surgery.

Vault perforation after eccentric glenoid reaming for deformity correction in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The management of glenoid deformity during anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty remains controversial. In this study, we evaluate variable correction of glenoid deformity by eccentric reaming. We hypothesize that partial correction of modified Walch B/C-type glenoid deformities can achieve 75% bone-implant contact area (BICA) with a reduced vault perforation risk compared with complete correction.

METHODS

Fifty shoulder computed tomographic scans with glenohumeral osteoarthritis were retrospectively evaluated. The Tornier BluePrint v2.1.5 software simulated 3 eccentric reaming scenarios including no, partial, and complete deformity correction. Each scenario was evaluated at 4 BICAs and using 3 implant fixation types. Three-dimensional surface representations were used to evaluate medialization and vault perforation.

RESULTS

The patients had mean glenoid retroversion and inclination of 18.5° and 8.8°, respectively, and mean posterior humeral head subluxation of 76%. With 75% BICA, the 3 fixation types had glenoid vault perforation in 6%-26% and 26%-54% of cases for partial and complete glenoid deformity correction, respectively. The central and posterior-inferior implant components were most likely to perforate across all scenarios.

DISCUSSION

Eccentric reaming for glenoid deformity correction increases the risk of vault perforation. Severe glenoid deformity required increased medialization to achieve 75% BICA. Pegged implants have increased chances of perforation compared with a keeled design; the central and posterior-inferior components were most likely to perforate during deformity correction.

CONCLUSION

Partial deformity correction of modified Walch B/C-type glenoid deformities can achieve 75% BICA while reducing the risk of vault perforation compared with complete correction at the time of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.

Voxel-based micro-finite element analysis of dental implants in a human cadaveric mandible: Tissue modulus assignment and sensitivity analyses

The success of dental implant treatment is related to the complex 3-dimensional (3D) biomechanics of the implant-bone interaction. In this work, 3D numerical models are built based on micro X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) images of a cadaveric mandible specimen with implants placed in it. The simulation results show that the computed strain values in bone are sensitive to the uncertainties in trabecular tissue modulus and fairly insensitive to the modulus of implants and teeth and the detailed geometry of the fixed boundary condition. A bone-volume-fraction (BV/TV) based method is proposed to assign the tissue moduli of bone elements based on their BV/TV to increase the connectivity of the mesh and to improve the accuracy of the models. These models are potentially powerful for calculating the 3D full-field bone strain under implant loading, enabling in silico testing of different implant designs, but demand validation of the models. The computed results reveal high strain concentration at bone-implant contact areas and, more importantly, in the buccal (lip-side) bone that is not making contact with the implant. The computed strain concentration patterns are found to be in good agreement with the observations from our prior experiments using 3D full-field mechanical testing coupled with micro-CT and digital volume correlation. The buccal bone is thinner and less stiff than other areas of bone and is also the commonly observed area of bone resorption after dental implant treatment.

Cement stress predictions after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty are correlated with preoperative glenoid bone quality

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that biomechanical parameters typically associated with glenoid implant failure after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) would be correlated with preoperative glenoid bone quality.

METHODS

We developed an objective automated method to quantify preoperative glenoid bone quality in different volumes of interest (VOIs): cortical bone, subchondral cortical plate, subchondral bone after reaming, subchondral trabecular bone, and successive layers of trabecular bone. Average computed tomography (CT) numbers (in Hounsfield units [HU]) were measured in each VOI from preoperative CT scans. In parallel, we built patient-specific finite element models of simulated aTSAs to predict cement stress, bone-cement interfacial stress, and bone strain around the glenoid implant. CT measurements and finite element predictions were obtained for 20 patients undergoing aTSA for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. We tested all linear correlations between preoperative patient characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, glenoid bone quality) and biomechanical predictions (cement stress, bone-cement interfacial stress, bone strain).

RESULTS

Average CT numbers gradually decreased from cortical (717 HU) to subchondral and trabecular (362 HU) bone. Peak cement stress (4-10 MPa) was located within the keel hole, above the keel, or behind the glenoid implant backside. Cement stress, bone-cement interfacial stress, and bone strain were strongly negatively correlated with preoperative glenoid bone quality, particularly in VOIs behind the implant backside (subchondral trabecular bone) but also in deeper trabecular VOIs.

CONCLUSION

Our numerical study suggests that preoperative glenoid bone quality is an important parameter to consider in aTSA, which may be associated with aseptic loosening of the glenoid implant. These initial results should now be confronted with clinical and radiologic outcomes.

Effects of anterior offsetting of humeral head component in posteriorly unstable total shoulder arthroplasty: Finite element modeling of cadaver specimens

A novel technique of "anterior offsetting" of the humeral head component to address posterior instability in total shoulder arthroplasty has been proposed, and its biomechanical benefits have been previously demonstrated experimentally. The present study sought to characterize the changes in joint mechanics associated with anterior offsetting with various amounts of glenoid retroversion using cadaver specimen-specific 3-dimensional finite element models. Specimen-specific computational finite element models were developed through importing digitized locations of six musculotendinous units of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles based off three cadaveric shoulder specimens implanted with total shoulder arthroplasty in either anatomic or anterior humeral head offset. Additional glenoid retroversion angles (0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°) other than each specimen׳s actual retroversion were modeled. Contact area, contact force, peak pressure, center of pressure, and humeral head displacement were calculated at each offset and retroversion for statistical analysis. Anterior offsetting was associated with significant anterior shift of center of pressure and humeral head displacement upon muscle loading (p<0.05). Although statistically insignificant, anterior offsetting was associated with increased contact area and decreased peak pressure (p > 0.05). All study variables showed significant differences when compared between the 4 different glenoid retroversion angles (p < 0.05) except for total force (p < 0.05). The study finding suggests that the anterior offsetting technique may contribute to joint stability in posteriorly unstable shoulder arthroplasty and may reduce eccentric loading on glenoid components although the long term clinical results are yet to be investigated in future.

Biomechanical effects of morphological variations of the cortical wall at the bone-cement interface

BACKGROUND

The integrity of bone-cement interface is very important for the stabilization and long-term sustain of cemented prosthesis. Variations in the bone-cement interface morphology may affect the mechanical response of the shape-closed interlock.

METHODS

Self-developed new reamer was used to process fresh pig reamed femoral canal, creating cortical grooves in the canal wall of experimental group. The biomechanical effects of varying the morphology with grooves of the bone-cement interface were investigated using finite element analysis (FEA) and validated using companion experimental data. Micro-CT scans were used to document interlock morphology.

RESULTS

The contact area of the bone-cement interface was greater (P < 0.05) for the experimental group (5470 ± 265 mm(2)) when compared to the specimens of control group (5289 ± 299 mm(2)). The mechanical responses to tensile loading and anti-torsion showed that the specimens with grooves were stronger (P < 0.05) at the bone-cement interface than the specimens without grooves. There were positively significant correlation between the contact area and the tensile force (r (2) = 0.85) and the maximal torsion (r (2) = 0.77) at the bone-cement interface. The volume of cement of the experimental group (7688 ± 278 mm(3)) was greater (P < 0.05) than of the control group (5764 ± 186 mm(3)). There were positively significant correlations between the volume of cement and the tensile force (r (2) = 0.90) and the maximal torsion (r (2) = 0.97) at the bone-cement interface. The FEA results compared favorably to the tensile and torsion relationships determined experimentally. More cracks occurred in the cement than in the bone.

CONCLUSIONS

Converting the standard reaming process from a smooth bore cortical tube to the one with grooves permits the cement to interlock with the reamed bony wall. This would increase the strength of the bone-cement interface.

Construct damage and loosening around glenoid implants: A longitudinal micro-CT study of five cadaver specimens

The evolution of failure of bone and cement leading to loosening of glenoid components following shoulder arthroplasty is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify and visualize potential mechanisms of mechanical failure within cadavers, cemented with two types of components, and subject to cyclic loading. Five glenoid cadaver bones were implanted with either a three-pegged polyethylene component, or prototype posteriorly augmented component which addresses posterior bone loss. Specimens were loaded by constant glenohumeral compression combined with cyclic anterior-posterior displacement of the humeral head relative to the glenoid. At six time points across 100,000 cycles, implant loosening micromotions were optically measured, and specimens were imaged by micro-computed tomography. Scans were 3D registered and inspected for crack initiation and progression, and micro-CT based time-lapse movies were created. Cement cracking initiated at stress concentrations and progressed with additional cyclic loading. Failure planes within trabecular bone and the bone-cement interface were identified in four of the five specimens. Implant subsidence increased to greater than 1.0 mm in two specimens. Cemented glenoid structural failure can occur within the cement, along planes of trabecular bone, or at the bone cement interface. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1053-1060, 2016.

Glenoid cement mantle characterization using micro-computed tomography of three cement application techniques

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have documented the concern for progressive radiolucent lines, signifying debonding and subsequent aseptic loosening of the glenoid component. In this study, we compared 3 cementation methods to secure a central peg in 15 cadaveric glenoids.

METHODS

Cement application techniques consisted of (1) compression of multiple applications of cement using manual pressure over gauze with an Adson clamp, (2) compression of multiple applications of cement using a pressurizer device, and (3) no compression of a single application of cement. Each glenoid was then imaged with high-resolution micro-computed tomography and further processed by creating 3-dimensional computerized models of implant, bone, and cement geometry. Cement morphology characteristics were then analyzed in each of the models.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences detected between the 2 types of compression techniques; however, there was a significant difference between compression methods and use of no compression at all. All morphologic characteristics of a larger cement mantle were significantly correlated with greater cortical contact.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that compression techniques create a larger cement mantle. Increased size of the cement mantle is associated with increased contact with cortical bone at the glenoid vault. This method for characterizing the cement mantle by micro-computed tomography scanning techniques and 3-dimensional analysis may also be useful in future finite element analysis studies.