Contact conditions for total hip head-neck modular taper junctions with microgrooved stem tapers
MarenBechstedt, Jonathan A.Gustafson, Steven P.Mell, JulianGührs, Michael M.Morlock, Brett R.Levine, Hannah J.Lundberg
Implant failure due to fretting-corrosion of head-neck modular junctions is a rising problem in total hip arthroplasty. Fretting-corrosion initiates when micromotion leads to metal release; however, factors leading to micromotion, such as microgrooves on the stem taper, are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to describe a finite element analysis technique to determine head-neck contact mechanics and investigate the effect of stem taper microgroove height during head-neck assembly.