Biomechanical effects of different loads and constraints on finite element modeling of the humerus

Sabrina Islam; Kunal Gide; Emil H Schemitsch; Habiba Bougherara; Radovan Zdero; Z Shaghayegh Bagheri

doi:10.1080/10255842.2023.2298371

Biomechanical effects of different loads and constraints on finite element modeling of the humerus

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2023 Dec 27:1-13. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2023.2298371. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sabrina Islam¹, Kunal Gide¹, Emil H Schemitsch^{2

3}, Habiba Bougherara⁴, Radovan Zdero², Z Shaghayegh Bagheri^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
² Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, Canada.
³ Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁴ Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 38151986
DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2023.2298371

Abstract

Currently, there is no established finite element (FE) method to apply physiologically realistic loads and constraints to the humerus. This FE study showed that 2 'simple' methods involving direct head loads, no head constraints, and rigid elbow or mid-length constraints created excessive stresses and bending. However, 2 'intermediate' methods involving direct head loads, but flexible head and elbow constraints, produced lower stresses and bending. Also, 2 'complex' methods involving muscles to generate head loads, plus flexible head and elbow constraints, generated the lowest stresses and moderate bending. This has implications for FE modeling research on intact and implanted humeri.

Keywords: Biomechanics; boundary conditions; constraints; finite element; humerus.