Bart Verkerke
University of Groningen / University Medical Center Groningen
Title: Direct osseointegrated fixation of a lower limb prosthesis for amputated patients
Biography
Biography: Bart Verkerke
Abstract
Leg amputation has a big impact on patients’ mobility and quality of life. Traditional stump-socket fixations introduce soft-tissue problems, gait control and fitting difficulties. Alternatively, a direct osseointegrated attachment of an artificial limb to the skeletal system overcomes skin and fitting problems, provides a better prosthetic control and increased mobility. However, the two systems that are presently available, can only be applied when sufficient bone is left. They also show bone loss around the prosthesis, bone and implant failures and infections that restrain applications of the current osseointegrated implants.
To solve these problems, a new fixation system was developed that restores the natural load transfer in the femur and allow implantations in short stumps. The system is composed of a metallic core sliding in a DLC-coated elastic sleeve to reduce bone failure risk and bone loss.
Finite element simulations, cadaver and wear experiments were done to determine the mechanical properties of the system.
Finite element analysis showed that the novel concept produced a physiological stress and strain distribution in the bone, reduced failure risk and minimized long-term bone loss due to prevention of bone remodelling. The experimental study confirmed the numerical simulation results. Wear tests showed that the applied DLC coating provided a very good wear resistance.
The new implant will increase safety against bone failure and allow rehabilitation in patients with higher amputations. It can be applied in much shorter stumps than present systems