Determination of contact hip stress from nomograms based on mathematical model

Nomograms are presented that enable determination of maximal stress on the hip joint weight bearing area if certain geometrical parameters of the hip and pelvis and the body weight are known. The nomograms are calculated by using previously developed mathematical models. It is demonstrated how the maximal stress on the hip joint weight bearing area is determined from the presented nomograms for a hip for which the geometrical parameters were obtained from a standard anteroposterior rentgenograph. This simple and noninvasive method may give insight into the biomechanical status of the hip which should be considered in routine surgical planning and as a part of the routine examination of the patient without the use of any additional tools. (C) 2001 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.