Comparison of mechanical strains in composite tibias versus human cadaver tibias

The purpose of the study reported was to evaluate the effect of compressive loading on a synthetic tibia as compared to cadaver tibia. In general there was wide variation in strain patterns at each gage location for both the cadaver and composite tibias. The variation increased with increasing load. Strain patterns were most similar in the lateral aspect of the tibias. The interbone variation was just as great as that measured for the composite and cadaver tibias. The inconsistencies in strain patterns found in this study are probably related to a combination of factors: variability in loading and material properties.