SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP28936S

A Method for Quantifying Stiffness Parameters of Titanium Alloy Femoral Stems and Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Prostheses

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Seven Ti-6Al-4V femoral prostheses were compared with a conventional Charnley type of a cobalt-based alloy. Structural stiffness criteria for anteroposterior, mediolateral, and torsional loadings were considered and compared. The stems were replicated and sectioned at 10-mm increments, the cross-sectional outlines were digitized, and the stiffness criteria were calculated. Although Ti-6Al-4V was the more flexible alloy, some titanium alloy prostheses were stiffer than the Charnley type—up to approximately 70 percent greater in bending and 20 percent in torsion. In contrast, other titanium alloy stems had only 30 to 90 percent of the Charnley stiffness criteria. These data for the first time provide a simple means for the orthopedic surgeon to determine whether his stem of choice is comparable to the well-established Charnley hip or whether, depending on his perception, he wants a stiffer or more flexible one.

Author Information

Espiritu, ET
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Rao, S
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sew Hoy, AL
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Clarke, IC
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sarmiento, A
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
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Details
Developed by Committee: B10
Pages: 74–87
DOI: 10.1520/STP28936S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4862-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0241-5