A damage model for the growth plate: Application to the prediction of slipped capital epiphysis

Gómez-Benito, M.J.; Moreo, P.; Pérez, M.A.; Paseta, O.; García-Aznar, J.M.; Barrios, C.; Doblaré, M.

doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2007.04.018

« Previous Next »Journal of Biomechanics
Volume 40, Issue 15 , Pages 3305-3313, 2007

A damage model for the growth plate: Application to the prediction of slipped capital epiphysis

M.J. Gómez-Benito
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Corresponding author. Department of Mechanical Engineering, I3A, University of Zaragoza, María de Luna, s/n. E-50018 Zaragoza, Spain. Tel.: +34976761000x5231; fax: +3497676 2578.
P. Moreo
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
M.A. Pérez
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
O. Paseta
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
J.M. García-Aznar
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
C. Barrios
- Orthopaedics and Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Valencia University Medical School, Valencia, Spain
M. Doblaré
- Group of Structures and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, CIBER-BNN Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedice ICS-Aragón Institute of Health Science, María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain

Accepted 29 April 2007. published online 09 July 2007.

Abstract

Despite slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) being one of the most common disorders of the adolescent hip, its early diagnosis is quite difficult. The main objective of this work is to apply an interface damage model to predict the failure of the bone–growth plate–bone interface. This model allows to evaluate the risk of development of SCFE and to investigate the range of mechanical properties of the physis that may cause slippage of the plate. This paper also studies the influence of different geometrical parameters and body weight of the patient on the development of SCFE. We have demonstrated, thanks to the proposed model, that higher physeal sloping and posterior sloping angles are associated to a higher probability of development of SCFE. In a similar way, increasing body weight results in a more probable slippage.

Keywords: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Interface damage model, Finite element analysis, Growth plate