Biomechanical Effects of Graft Shape for the Evans Lateral Column Lengthening Procedure: A Patient-Specific Finite Element Investigation

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110438
Author(s):  
Jiaju Wu ◽  
Hua Liu ◽  
Can Xu

Background: The Evans calcaneal lengthening osteotomy procedure is widely used for correcting progressive collapsing foot deformity. However, it can result in overcorrection and degenerations of the calcaneocuboid joint. Different shapes of graft have been used in the Evans calcaneal osteotomy, but potential differences in their biomechanical effects is still unclear. The present study was designed to explore the biomechanical effects of graft shape and improve the Evans procedure to avoid or minimize detrimental effects. Methods: Twelve patient-specific finite element models were established and validated. A triangular or rectangular wedge of varying size was inserted at the lateral edge of calcaneus, and the degree of correction was quantified. The stress in spring ligaments and plantar fascia and the contact characteristics of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints were calculated and compared accordingly. Results: The rectangular graft provided a much higher degree of correction than triangular grafts did. However, the contact characteristics of the calcaneocuboid joint and talonavicular joint were abnormal, with clear sensitivity to increased graft size, and the modeled strain of the spring ligament increased. Conclusion: The finite element analysis predicts that the rectangular grafts provide a higher degree of correction, but risks overcorrection compared with triangular grafts. The triangular graft may have a lower degree of disturbance to the biomechanical behaviors of the midtarsal joint. Clinical Relevance: The model shows that both the shape and size of an Evans osteotomy bone wedge can have effects on the contiguous joints and ligamentous structures. Those effects should be considered when selecting a bone wedge for an Evans calcaneal osteotomy. Level of Evidence: Level III, case-control study.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zewen Shi ◽  
Lin Shi ◽  
Xianjun Chen ◽  
Jiangtao Liu ◽  
Haihao Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The superior facet arthroplasty is important for intervertebral foramen microscopy. To our knowledge, there is no study about the postoperative biomechanics of adjacent L4/L5 segments after different methods of S1 superior facet arthroplasty. To evaluate the effect of S1 superior facet arthroplasty on lumbar range of motion and disc stress of adjacent segment (L4/L5) under the intervertebral foraminoplasty. Methods Eight finite element models (FEMs) of lumbosacral vertebrae (L4/S) had been established and validated. The S1 superior facet arthroplasty was simulated with different methods. Then, the models were imported into Nastran software after optimization; 500 N preload was imposed on the L4 superior endplate, and 10 N⋅m was given to simulate flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. The range of motion (ROM) and intervertebral disc stress of the L4-L5 spine were recorded. Results The ROM and disc stress of L4/L5 increased with the increasing of the proportions of S1 superior facet arthroplasty. Compared with the normal model, the ROM of L4/L5 significantly increased in most directions of motion when S1 superior facet formed greater than 3/5 from the ventral to the dorsal or 2/5 from the apex to the base. The disc stress of L4/L5 significantly increased in most directions of motion when S1 superior facet formed greater than 3/5 from the ventral to the dorsal or 1/5 from the apex to the base. Conclusion In this study, the ROM and disc stress of L4/L5 were affected by the unilateral S1 superior facet arthroplasty. It is suggested that the forming range from the ventral to the dorsal should be less than 3/5 of the S1 upper facet joint. It is not recommended to form from apex to base. Level of evidence Level IV


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart M. Saunders ◽  
Scott J. Ellis ◽  
Constantine A. Demetracopoulos ◽  
Anca Marinescu ◽  
Jayme Burkett ◽  
...  

Background: The forefoot abduction component of the flexible adult-acquired flatfoot can be addressed with lengthening of the anterior process of the calcaneus. We hypothesized that the step-cut lengthening calcaneal osteotomy (SLCO) would decrease the incidence of nonunion, lead to improvement in clinical outcome scores, and have a faster time to healing compared with the traditional Evans osteotomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 111 patients (143 total feet: 65 Evans, 78 SLCO) undergoing stage IIB reconstruction followed clinically for at least 2 years. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were analyzed for the amount of deformity correction. Computed tomography (CT) was used to analyze osteotomy healing. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) and lateral pain surveys were used to assess clinical outcomes. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess nonnormally distributed data while χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze categorical variables (α = 0.05 significant). Results: The Evans group used a larger graft size ( P < .001) and returned more often for hardware removal ( P = .038) than the SLCO group. SLCO union occurred at a mean of 8.77 weeks ( P < .001), which was significantly lower compared with the Evans group ( P = .02). The SLCO group also had fewer nonunions ( P = .016). FAOS scores improved equivalently between the 2 groups. Lateral column pain, ability to exercise, and ambulation distance were similar between groups. Conclusion: Following SLCO, patients had faster healing times and fewer nonunions, similar outcomes scores, and equivalent correction of deformity. SLCO is a viable technique for lateral column lengthening. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.


Author(s):  
Hussein H. Ammar ◽  
Victor H. Mucino ◽  
Peter Ngan ◽  
Richard J. Crout ◽  
Osama M. Mukdadi

Miniscrew implants have seen increasing clinical use as orthodontic anchorage devices with demonstrated stability. The focus of this study is to develop and simulate operative factors, such as load magnitudes and anchor locations to achieve desired motions in a patient-specific 3D model undergoing orthodontic treatment with miniscrew implant anchorage. A CT scan of a patient skull was imported into Mimics software (Materialise, 12.1). Segmentation operations were performed on the images to isolate the mandible, filter out noise, then reconstruct a smooth 3D model. A model of the left canine was reconstructed with the PDL modeled as a thin solid layer. A miniscrew was modeled with dimensions based on a clinical implant (BMK OAS-T1207) then inserted into the posterior mandible. All components were volumetrically meshed and optimized in Mimics software. Elements comprising the mandible bone and teeth were assigned a material based on their gray value ranges in HU from the original scan, and meshes were exported into ANSYS software. All materials were defined as linear and isotropic. A nonlinear PDL was also defined for comparison. For transverse forces applied on the miniscrew, maximum stresses increased linearly with loading and appeared at the neck or first thread and in the cortical bone. A distal tipping force was applied on the canine, and maximum stresses appeared in the tooth at the crown and apex and in the bone at the compression surface. Under maximum loading, stresses in bone were sufficient for resorption. The nonlinear PDL exhibited lower stresses and deflections than the linear model due to increasing stiffness. Numerous stress concentrations were seen in all models. Results of this study demonstrate the potential of patient-specific 3D reconstruction from CT scans and finite-element simulation as a versatile and effective pre-operative planning tool for orthodontists.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santanu Chandra ◽  
Vimalatharmaiyah Gnanaruban ◽  
Fabian Riveros ◽  
Jose F. Rodriguez ◽  
Ender A. Finol

In this work, we present a novel method for the derivation of the unloaded geometry of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from a pressurized geometry in turn obtained by 3D reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) images. The approach was experimentally validated with an aneurysm phantom loaded with gauge pressures of 80, 120, and 140 mm Hg. The unloaded phantom geometries estimated from these pressurized states were compared to the actual unloaded phantom geometry, resulting in mean nodal surface distances of up to 3.9% of the maximum aneurysm diameter. An in-silico verification was also performed using a patient-specific AAA mesh, resulting in maximum nodal surface distances of 8 μm after running the algorithm for eight iterations. The methodology was then applied to 12 patient-specific AAA for which their corresponding unloaded geometries were generated in 5–8 iterations. The wall mechanics resulting from finite element analysis of the pressurized (CT image-based) and unloaded geometries were compared to quantify the relative importance of using an unloaded geometry for AAA biomechanics. The pressurized AAA models underestimate peak wall stress (quantified by the first principal stress component) on average by 15% compared to the unloaded AAA models. The validation and application of the method, readily compatible with any finite element solver, underscores the importance of generating the unloaded AAA volume mesh prior to using wall stress as a biomechanical marker for rupture risk assessment.


2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Kitamura ◽  
Masanori Fujii ◽  
Miho Iwamoto ◽  
Satoshi Ikemura ◽  
Satoshi Hamai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ideal acetabular position for optimizing hip joint biomechanics in periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between acetabular correction in the coronal plane and joint contact pressure (CP) and identify morphological factors associated with residual abnormal CP after correction. Methods Using CT images from 44 patients with hip dysplasia, we performed three patterns of virtual PAOs on patient-specific 3D hip models; the acetabulum was rotated laterally to the lateral center-edge angles (LCEA) of 30°, 35°, and 40°. Finite-element analysis was used to calculate the CP of the acetabular cartilage during a single-leg stance. Results Coronal correction to the LCEA of 30° decreased the median maximum CP 0.5-fold compared to preoperatively (p <  0.001). Additional correction to the LCEA of 40° further decreased CP in 15 hips (34%) but conversely increased CP in 29 hips (66%). The increase in CP was associated with greater preoperative extrusion index (p = 0.030) and roundness index (p = 0.038). Overall, virtual PAO failed to normalize CP in 11 hips (25%), and a small anterior wall index (p = 0.049) and a large roundness index (p = 0.003) were associated with residual abnormal CP. Conclusions The degree of acetabular correction in the coronal plane where CP is minimized varied among patients. Coronal plane correction alone failed to normalize CP in 25% of patients in this study. In patients with an anterior acetabular deficiency (anterior wall index < 0.21) and an aspherical femoral head (roundness index > 53.2%), coronal plane correction alone may not normalize CP. Further studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of multiplanar correction, including in the sagittal and axial planes, in optimizing the hip joint’s contact mechanics.


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