In vitro experimental and numerical study on biomechanics and stability of a novel adjustable hemipelvic prosthesis

Hemipelvic prostheses are used to reconstruct the damaged pelvis due to bone tumors and traumas. However, biomechanical properties of the reconstructed pelvis remain unclear, causing difficulties to implant development and prediction of surgical outcome. In this study, a novel adjustable hemipelvic prosthesis for the Type 1–3 pelvis resection was used to reconstruct the intact pelvic ring. Two types of Pedicle Screw Rod Systems were proposed to improve the stability of fixation between the prosthesis and the bone. Finite Element models of the reconstructed pelvis were built to analyze the performance of the prosthesis and PSRS. Moreover, an in vitro experimental study was performed to measure the deformation of the human reconstructed pelvis. Numerical results agree well with the experimental data. It was found that displacements and stresses bilaterally transferred more evenly in the reconstructed pelvis enhanced by bilateral Pedicle Screw Rod System. The load-transfer function of the pelvis under double-leg standing stance could be recovered. The bilateral pedicle system has better biomechanical performance than the unilateral pedicle system.