Stress shielding in the bony chain of leg in presence of varus or valgus knee

AimsThe aim was to assess how the stress shielding can influence the integrity and resistance of bones in presence of a misalignment.MethodsThree finite elements models have been developed: a normal one, and two varus and valgus knee ones.ResultsThe obtained results reveal interesting consequences deriving by a wrong disposition of parts which compose the skeletal chain of the leg.ConclusionThe most dangerous conditions occur in the contact interface between pelvis and hip of the femur, for the valgus knee configuration, and for the varus one, at the contact interface around the knee zone.