Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (27): 6978-6984.doi: 10.12307/2026.836

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Force analysis of three-dimensional finite element models for single radius and multi radius prostheses during flexion and extension in total knee arthroplasty

Chen Dongxu1, Huang Dachao2, Hu Yang1, Li Zhaoxu1   

  1. 1Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2School of Graduates, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2025-10-17 Accepted:2026-01-06 Online:2026-09-28 Published:2026-04-16
  • Contact: Li Zhaoxu, Chief physician, Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Chen Dongxu, MS, Associate chief physician, Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    Guangxi Medical and Health Appropriate Technology Development and Promotion Project, No. S2023033 (to CDX); Guangxi Medical and Health Appropriate Technology Development and Promotion Project, No. S2024069 (to LZX); Guangxi Key Medical and Health Discipline Cultivation Project (to CDX)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: For patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty is often necessary in clinical practice to address issues such as pain and limited mobility. Although knee replacement surgery has achieved good clinical results in treating severe osteoarthritis, there is still controversy over the clinical efficacy of single radius and multi radius prostheses.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the stress characteristics of single radius and multi radius prostheses at different flexion angles in total knee arthroplasty using finite element analysis, and provide a basis for clinical selection. 
METHODS: Based on normal adult CT data, a three-dimensional skeletal model was established and optimized using Mimics, Geomagic, and SolidWorks. Single radius and multi radius prostheses were assembled, and the 0°-120° flexion state was simulated in Ansys. The peak von Mises stress was used as the observation index to observe the Mises stress distribution and contact area on the tibial prosthesis pad, and to explore the biomechanical behavior changes of the knee joint after total knee arthroplasty.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) With the increase of knee flexion angle from 0° to 90°, the contact stress of the tibial pad of both SR and MR prostheses increased with the increase of knee flexion angle. At high flexion angles of 90°to 120°, the stress of the multi radius prosthesis gradually decreased, while the stress of the single radius prosthesis slightly increased. (2) At 0° flexion, the joint capsule stress after single radius prosthesis was lower than that of multi radius prosthesis. (3) The contact area at low and medium flexion angles between 0° and 90° gradually decreased with increasing flexion angle, and the contact area on a single radius polyethylene pad was always greater than that on a multi radius polyethylene pad. (4) These findings indicate that both single radius and multi radius knee joint prostheses can meet clinical needs well. In clinical practice, the appropriate prosthesis should be selected according to the patient's age, activity level, and functional requirements. 

Key words: total knee arthroplasty, single radius, multi radius, finite element analysis, biomechanics

CLC Number: