Stress shielding of bone.

[P. Stephenson]

Dear All,

I am cuurently working on a Finite Element Analysis of an
endoprosthesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stresses
generated within the implant and the bone. It is hoped that this
information will provide a basis for optimising the implant design.

Ther post-operative changes in the stress distribution in the bone
can lead to stress shielding, and so cause bone resorption, and in
some cases lead to the failure of the implant.

I am interested to discover if a stress 'window' has been proposed
for bone, where the stresses within this range would provide adequate
mechanical stimulus to encourage 'normal' bone re-modelling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.