Mechanical Behaviour of the Paediatric Femur Under Compression Loading Conditions: A Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This paper investigates the mechanical behavior of the paediatric femur under compression using finite element analysis, simulating scenarios like single-legged stands and falls. It aims to understand stress distribution, deformation, and fracture risks, focusing on the femoral neck to improve prevention strategies. The study also addresses the unique properties of paediatric bones, contributing to the knowledge of bone biomechanics and injury prevention in children. The study used finite element analysis (FEA) to model the mechanical behavior of a paediatric femur under compression, simulating scenarios like a single-legged stand and a sideways fall. A 3D CAD model was developed from CT scan data, accurately representing the femur's cortical and trabecular bone regions. The model was meshed and subjected to quasi-static loading with physiological boundary conditions to analyze stress, strain, and deformation. The study revealed that the paediatric femur exhibits significant stress concentration at the femoral neck, a region known to be highly susceptible to fractures under lateral loading conditions, with total deformation remaining stable between 0.58652 mm and 0.58655 mm. It was found that impact velocity plays a crucial role in determining the severity of bone injury; for a fixed load of 25 kg, increasing the velocity from 8.33 mm/s to 3000 mm/s resulted in maximum equivalent stress values ranging from 2.9181e-5 MPa to 34.935 MPa, with corresponding deformation increasing from 5.0033e-8 mm to 0.58652 mm. The study found that the paediatric femur is particularly vulnerable to fractures at the femoral neck under lateral loading, with deformation remaining stable under specific conditions. Impact velocity significantly affects the severity of bone injury, with higher velocities leading to greater stress and deformation. These findings underscore the importance of considering load and velocity in assessing the mechanical response of paediatric bones, supporting the need for safety measures in activities involving potential impacts.

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