Finite element analysis of the tibial bone graft in cementless total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Achieving stability of the tibial implant is essential following cementless total knee arthroplasty with bone grafting. We investigated the effects of bone grafting on the relative micromotion of the tibial implant and stress between the tibial implant and adjacent bone in the immediate postoperative period.

METHODS: Tibial implant models were developed using a nonlinear, three-dimensional, finite element method. On the basis of a preprepared template, several bone graft models of varying sizes and material properties were prepared.

RESULTS: Micromotion was larger in the bone graft models than in the intact model. Maximum micromotion and excessive stress in the area adjacent to the bone graft were observed for the soft and large graft models. With hard bone grafting, increased load transfer and decreased micromotion were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Avoidance of large soft bone grafts and use of hard bone grafting effectively reduced micromotion and undue stress in the adjacent area.