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Due to the difficulty of the classical fracture mechanics in dealing with multicrack coalescence, the simulation of jointed rock failure has remained a worldwide problem since the middle of the last century. Through a nearly 10-year effort, we have developed a novel but simple discontinuum-based approach, namely DDARF (discontinuous deformation analysis for rock failure), to simulate the progressive failure process of jointed rock mass. In the proposed method, by adopting the FE adaptive mesh generation technique—the advanced front method, the computational model of triangular DDA block system is automatically established. Also, the randomly distributed mechanical parameters statistically satisfying Weibull’s law are assigned to the blocks to simulate the heterogeneity of rock mass. In the generating process of the block system, numerous artificial joints come into being. These artificial joints provide the potential paths along which the cracks generate and propagate. The two blocks beside an artificial joint are glued together through adhesive algorithm, and if the glue is invalid, the artificial joint will break and turn into a real crack. In this way, the rock fragmentation process can be simulated. The results of several verification examples indicate that the DDARF method can simulate the whole process of rock fragmentation, and is suitable for cases of intact rock, rock mass with non-penetrative joints, and even blocky rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthrosis of the wrist joint were followed up for 15 (14-17) years after wrist-joint arthroplasty with semiconstrained artificial joint mechanisms that had been anchored to bone using the osseointegration principle. They were fixed by one titanium screw introduced into the radius, and two or more titanium screws introduced distally into the metacarpal bones. In four cases a screw was also introduced into the ulna thereby constituting one component in a distal radio-ulnar (DRU) joint mechanism. The titanium screw introduced into the radius and the distal metacarpal screws osseointegrated in all cases. In three cases the mechanism of the wrist joint or parts of it were replaced with new components that could be attached to the screws that were already osseointegrated. We conclude that wrist joint prostheses can be anchored to the surrounding bone using osseointegration and that they remain fixed for at least 15 years. The principle allows replacement of the joint mechanism, if needed, with maintenance of the osseointegrated anchoring elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posts are used in various implant designs to contribute to the short- and long-term fixation stability of artificial joints. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of torque loading on the pull-out response of a steel post inserted into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material. An experimental apparatus was designed and fabricated to perform mechanical characterization of a steel post embedded in a polymer cylinder with initial interference fit under pull-out, torque and combined torque/pull-out loadings. To analyze the effect of preload applied torque to the load transfer at the post-fixation interface under pull-out loading, we have chosen HDPE material with uniform mechanical and tribological properties. Under pull-out loading, the micro-slip initiation and propagation at the post-HDPE interface was found to be progressive and assuming Coulomb friction at the interface, the friction coefficient was calculated from the measured pull-out force. In the torque loading condition it was found that the torque dropped suddenly from the maximum value to an initial dynamic sliding torque value. The interface behaves like a chemically bonded one, and static and dynamic friction coefficients were determined. It has been found under combined torque/pull-out conditions that in addition to the reduction of the maximum pull-out force, the preload applied torque generates two instabilities in the pull-out behavior. The first one happens once the maximum pull-out force is reached where the load falls to a level required for the post extraction from the HDPE cylinder. The second instability takes place during the extraction process for a residual (critical) implantation length which depends on the preload applied torque value. This latter instability was marked by a sudden rotation of the HDPE cylinder against the steel post. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven men mean age 37 years (range 24-45) who had destroyed metacarpophalangeal joints as a result of pyogenic infection underwent reconstruction of the joint with osseointegrated silicone implants. The interval from infection to reconstruction varied from 5 months to 13 years. At mean follow-up 10 (8-12) years postoperatively the titanium fixtures were all well osseointegrated. The silicone spacer had fractured in one case. The extension lag was 16 (10-20)° and the range of movement (ROM) 34 (30-40)°. Our data confirm previous observations about the successful long-term osseointegration of titanium fixtures used for the attachment of joint prostheses in the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. We conclude that titanium fixtures can be used successfully to fix joint mechanisms for reconstruction of small joints after pyogenous arthritis of the hand and can be used for fixation of joint mechanisms in such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osseointegrated proximal interphalangeal joint prostheses with a replacable joint spacer were used in 25 joints in 19 patients (five men and 14 women) aged 45 (16-67) years. Indications for surgery were post-traumatic arthrosis (nine joints in eight patients), primary osteoarthrosis (10 joints in eight patients), and rheumatoid arthritis (six joints in three patients). A silicone joint spacer was attached to titanium fixtures by short titanium stems that extended from the spacer and fitted into a central canal in the screws. The arthroplasty was done in one stage, which included resection of the joint followed by grafting of marrow and cancellous bone from the iliac crest into adjacent medullary cavities before insertion of the titanium fixture. Follow up at 8.5 (5-11) years showed that 47 out of 50 fixtures (94%) had successfully osseointegrated while 17 of 25 joint spacers (68%) had fractured. However, because of the design of the prostheses fractured joint spacers could easily be replaced and a new spacer could be connected to already osseointegrated screws. The joint spacer was replaced in 11 fingers once or several times. Range of movement (ROM) in the whole series (four fusions excluded) was 41 (0-85)° with an extension defect of 15 (0-55)°. In eight joints with permanently intact joint spacers the ROM was 39 (0-60)° with extension defects of 16 (0-40)°. In six joints in which the spacer was replaced once the ROM was 43 (0-85)° with an extension defect of 16 (0-55)°. Our data confirm good long-term osseointegration of titanium fixtures and that a joint spacer, if needed, can be replaced by a new spacer that can be attached to already osseointegrated screws without jeopardising the ROM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]