Mechanical simulator for the upper femur.

This paper describes a simulator designed to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the proximal femur and the influence of a prosthesis on this behaviour. Cyclic dynamic loads, corresponding to those generated by walking or several other activities, are applied to the proximal end of a fresh cadaveric femur before and after implantation of different types of hip prosthesis. Three musculoaponeurotic groups are modelled (abductor group, fascia lata and vastus lateralis). Load cells and strain gauges coupled to a data acquisition system are used to measure and record the forces on the femoral head and in the different muscle groups, as well as the strain variations occurring in the bone. Displacement transducers monitor the displacements occurring about the bone/implant interface