Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(04): A1-A35
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810312
PODIUM ABSTRACTS

Mechanical Evaluation of BFX Broach Tooth Design Using a Custom Drop-Tower Impaction System and Simulated Healthy or Sclerotic Bone

Z. T. Lawson
1   Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
R. M. Bates
2   Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
M. C. Raumaker
1   Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
C. J. Silveira
3   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
D. L. Hollenbeck
3   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
M. R. Moreno
1   Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
2   Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
,
W. B. Saunders
3   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
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    Introduction: Cementless total hip replacement stems require femoral canal preparation with precision broaching press fit and long-term bone ingrowth. While existing BFX broaches are effective for most femurs, they perform poorly on sclerotic femoral bone. This study aimed to (1) develop a drop-test system to more closely simulate clinical broach impaction, and (2) evaluate three broach tooth designs in simulated healthy or sclerotic bone.

    Materials and Methods: A drop-tower apparatus was fabricated to impact broaches into polyurethane blocks of densities simulating healthy (15 pcf) and sclerotic (25 pcf) bone. A 6.2 lb weight was dropped from 5 in, generating 3.5 Joules per strike. Impact force was established within clinical ranges using cadaveric data from a related study. Three broach designs (Control, TG1 with V-grooves, and TG2 with diamond teeth) were tested for total impacts and cumulative energy for full insertion. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc testing (ɑ = 0.05).

    Results: The apparatus effectively simulated clinical impaction, delivering 3.4 kN (±0.46) for Control broaches. TG2 required significantly more hits (11.6 ± 1.4 in 15 pcf, 44.0 ± 12.15 for 25 pcf) and energy (40.7 J ± 4.9 for 15 pcf, 154.0 J ± 33.13 for 25 pcf) than Control (4.1 ± 0.35 hits, 14.4 J ± 1.23 for 15 pcf; 23.5 ± 2.66 hits, 82.3 J ± 9.33 for 25 pcf) and TG1 (4.1 ± 0.35 hits, 14.4 J ± 1.23 for 15 pcf; 26.2 ± 4.67 hits, 91.6 J ± 16.3 for 25 pcf).

    Discussion/Conclusion: The study validates an improved broach testing system and highlights the reduced cutting efficiency of test broaches.

    Acknowledgment

    Funded by the Ginn Fund, Texas A&M University.


     

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    15 July 2025

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