ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a methodology based on finite element modelling techniques in order to analyse the mechanical behaviour of the gleno-humeral joint both with and without prosthetic implantation, so that the mechanism of glenoid implant loosening can be better understood and new prosthetic implant designs can be optimised.

The models revealed contact pressures, stress and strain data which can be compared to the experimental results. Numerical results showed good qualitative agreement with the experimental measurements. The scapula stress and strain following prosthetis implantation were lower than in the intact one.