One of the functions of the meniscus is to distribute contact forces over the articular surfaces by increasing the joint contact areas. It is widely accepted that total/partial loss of the meniscus increases the risk of joint degeneration. A short-term method for evaluating whether degenerative arthritis can be prevented or not would be to determine if the peak pressure and contact area coverage of the tibial plateau (TP) in the knee are restored at the time of implantation. Although several published studies already utilized TP contact pressure measurements as an indicator for biomechanical performance of allograft menisci, there is a paucity of a quantitative method for evaluation of these parameters in situ with a single effective parameter. In the present study, we developed such a method and used it to assess the load distribution ability of various meniscal implant configurations in human cadaveric knees . Contact pressures under the intact meniscus were measured under compression (1200 N, 0 deg flexion). Next, total meniscectomy was performed and the protocol was repeated with meniscal implants. Resultant pressure maps were evaluated for the peak pressure value, total contact area, and its distribution pattern, all with respect to the natural meniscus output. Two other measures—implant-dislocation and implant-impingement on the ligaments—were also considered. If any of these occurred, the score was zeroed. The total implant score was based on an adjusted calculation of the aforementioned measures, where the natural meniscus score was always 100. Laboratory experiments demonstrated a good correlation between qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the same pressure map outputs, especially in cases where there were contradicting indications between different parameters. Overall, the proposed approach provides a novel, validated method for quantitative assessment of the biomechanical performance of meniscal implants, which can be used in various applications ranging from bench testing of design (geometry and material of an implant) to correct implant sizing.
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February 2010
Technical Briefs
A Novel Quantitative Approach for Evaluating Contact Mechanics of Meniscal Replacements
E. Linder-Ganz,
E. Linder-Ganz
Research and Development Center,
e-mail: eran.ganz@activeimplants.com
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
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J. J. Elsner,
J. J. Elsner
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
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A. Danino,
A. Danino
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
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F. Guilak,
F. Guilak
Duke University Medical Center
, Durham, NC 27710
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A. Shterling
A. Shterling
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
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E. Linder-Ganz
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israele-mail: eran.ganz@activeimplants.com
J. J. Elsner
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
A. Danino
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 Israel
F. Guilak
Duke University Medical Center
, Durham, NC 27710
A. Shterling
Research and Development Center,
Active Implants Corporation
, Netanya, 42505 IsraelJ Biomech Eng. Feb 2010, 132(2): 024501 (6 pages)
Published Online: January 28, 2010
Article history
Received:
August 5, 2009
Revised:
September 22, 2009
Posted:
October 5, 2009
Published:
January 28, 2010
Online:
January 28, 2010
Citation
Linder-Ganz, E., Elsner, J. J., Danino, A., Guilak, F., and Shterling, A. (January 28, 2010). "A Novel Quantitative Approach for Evaluating Contact Mechanics of Meniscal Replacements." ASME. J Biomech Eng. February 2010; 132(2): 024501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000407
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