Stress and strain distribution within the intact femur: compression or bending?

The aim of this research was to test the hypothesis that the intact femur is loaded predominately in compression. The study was composed of two parts: a finite element analysis of the intact femur to assess if a compressive stress distribution could be achieved in the diaphyseal region of the femur using physiological muscle and joint contact forces; a simple radiological study to assess the in vivo deflections of the femur during one legged stance. The results of this investigation strongly support the hypothesis that the femur is loaded primarily in compression, and not bending as previously thought. The finite element analysis demonstrated that a compressive stress distribution in the diaphyseal femur can be achieved, producing a stress distribution which appears to be consistent with the femoral cross-sectional geometry. The finite element analysis also predicted that for a compressive load case there would be negligible deflections of the femoral head. The radiological study confirmed this, with no measurable in vivo deflection of the femur occurring during one legged stance.