Computational analysis of the regenerated knee structure after bone marrow stimulation techniques

Abstract

Bone marrow stimulation techniques, such as abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture, have been widely used for repairing cartilage; however, the mechanical stress analysis of these surgical techniques has not been fully investigated. In this study, finite element analysis was used to investigate stresses produced in complex structures (e.g., cartilage, subchondral bone and trabecular bone) using 2D knee structural models. Abrasion arthroplasty creates global damages only in subchondral bone, but, microfracture technique creates local damages in both trabecular and subchondral regions. Although stresses do not significantly change in trabecular bones as 50% recovery occurs in both abrasion and microfacture samples, significant changes are observed in both subchondral bone and cartilage layer depending on the procedure. The maximum stress levels in the microfractured bone represent approximately a 10.48% increase in cartilage and a 38.25% increase in subchondral bones compared to normal conditions. After 150% recovery, however, all three layers increase their stress levels in microfractured samples. Therefore, the 2D computational analysis results suggest that the microfracture technique should be cautiously used.