Computational biomechanical study on hybrid implant materials for the femoral component of total knee replacements

Multifunctional materials have been described to meet the diverse requirements of implant materials for femoral components of uncemented total knee replacements. These materials aim to combine the high wear and corrosion resistance of oxide ceramics at the joint surfaces with the osteogenic potential of titanium alloys at the bone-implant interface. Our objective was to evaluate the biomechanical performance of hybrid material-based femoral components regarding mechanical stress within the implant during cementless implantation and stress shielding (evaluated by strain energy density) of the periprosthetic bone during two-legged squat motion using finite element modeling. The hybrid materials consisted of alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) ceramic joined with additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V or Ti-35Nb-6Ta alloys. The titanium component was modeled with or without an open porous surface structure. Monolithic femoral components of ATZ ceramic or Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy were used as reference. The elasticity of the open porous surface structure was determined within experimental compression tests and was significantly higher for Ti-35Nb-6Ta compared to Ti-6Al-4V (5.2 ± 0.2 GPa vs. 8.8 ± 0.8 GPa, p < 0.001). During implantation, the maximum stress within the ATZ femoral component decreased from 1568.9 MPa (monolithic ATZ) to 367.6 MPa (Ti-6Al-4V/ATZ), 560.9 MPa (Ti-6Al-4V/ATZ with an open porous surface), 474.9 MPa (Ti-35Nb-6Ta/ATZ), and 648.4 MPa (Ti-35Nb-6Ta/ATZ with an open porous surface). The strain energy density increased at higher flexion angles for all models during the squat movement. At ∼90° knee flexion, the strain energy density in the anterior region of the distal femur increased by 25.7 % (Ti-6Al-4V/ATZ), 70.3 % (Ti-6Al-4V/ATZ with an open porous surface), 43.7 % (Ti-35Nb-6Ta/ATZ), and 82.5% (Ti-35Nb-6Ta/ATZ with an open porous surface) compared to monolithic ATZ. Thus, the hybrid material-based femoral component decreases the intraoperative fracture risk of the ATZ part and considerably reduces the risk of stress shielding of the periprosthetic bone.