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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2022; 35(05): 279-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748876
Original Research

Performing a Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis to Simulate and Quantify the Contact Pressure in the Canine Elbow Joint: A Pilot Study

Michaela Rhode
1   Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
,
Oliver Harms
1   Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
,
Yannick Finck
2   EDAG Engineering GmbH, Ingolstadt, Germany
,
Philipp Dautzenberg
1   Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
,
Julia Schweizer
3   Veterinary Practice for Small Animal Surgery, Neuenrade, Germany
,
Matthias Lüpke
4   Institute for General Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
,
Fritjof Freise
5   Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
,
Michael Fehr
6   Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to measure surface pressures and force distribution on radius and ulna in healthy and dysplastic elbow joints in different positions using the finite element analysis (FEA).

Study Design FEA was performed on computed tomographic data of healthy and fragmented coronoid process diseased elbow joints of Labrador Retrievers. It considered the articular cartilage, collateral ligaments, triceps and biceps muscle. The analysis of each joint was performed in four positions (standing position: 145 degrees and three positions of the stance phase of gait: beginning: 115 degrees, middle: 110 degrees, end: 145 degrees joint angle) in consideration of different ground reaction forces (standing: 88.3 N; stance phase of gait: 182.5 N).

Results Mean values of total force of 317.5 N (standing), 590.7 N (beginning), 330.9 N (middle) and 730.9 N (end) were measured. The percentual force distribution resulted in a total of 49.56 ± 26.58% on the ulna with a very inhomogeneous distribution. A significant difference was detected between the positions ‘standing’ and ‘end’ (p = 0.0497) regardless of the joint condition. In some FEA results, visual assessment of the surface pressures indicated an increase in pressure in the region of the medial compartment without a uniform pattern. An increase in pressure resulted in an area increase in the pressure marks on the joint surface and measurable pressure was increased at a larger joint angle.

Clinical Significance FEA can provide information about the transmission of force in the joint. Prior to the use of FEA in scientific clinical research for the simulation of force, further model improvements are necessary.

Keywords

finite element analysis - elbow dysplasia - canine elbow dysplasia - dogs - contact pressures

Authors' Contributions

The conception of the study and the study design were done by M.R., M.F., O.H., and Y.F. The model construction was carried out by M.R., Y.F., P.D., J.S. under the supervision of O.H. The finite element analysis calculations were done by Y.F. and M.R. Data collection was done by M.R. The analysis was performed by M.R. with the assistance of M.L. and F.F.; and lastly, O.H. and M.F. supervised model construction, analysis and manuscript editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 10 February 2021

Accepted: 04 February 2022

Article published online:
04 July 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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