ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mech. Eng.

Sec. Biomechanical Engineering

Volume 11 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmech.2025.1531864

This article is part of the Research TopicAdvancing Musculoskeletal Health: Bridging Basic and Clinical Research on Biomechanical Properties of Joints, Ligaments, Tendons, and Associated StructuresView all 4 articles

Structural analysis of the hip joint using segmentation and finite elements in patients with femoroacetabular impingement

Provisionally accepted
Felipe  CastilloFelipe CastilloCristian  A Hernandez-SalazarCristian A Hernandez-SalazarOctavio Andrés  González-EstradaOctavio Andrés González-Estrada*
  • Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Musculoskeletal disorders pose a significant challenge due to their profound impact on mobility and quality of life. Among these, cam-type femoroacetabular impingement stands out for its effect on femoral head morphology, causing joint pain and limiting movement. This study explores the biomechanical consequences of cam-type impingement through comprehensive analysis using computed tomography (CT) scans. Advanced 3D segmentation performed with 3D Slicer software enabled precise three-dimensional hip joint models. Mechanical properties, including Young's modulus and density, were directly derived from CT data and integrated into finite element models developed in Ansys. The simulations assessed the hip joint's response during flexion and abduction, replicating dynamic conditions commonly encountered in daily activities. Results demonstrated that cam-type impingement leads to elevated stress concentrations and altered contact patterns. Abduction generated the highest strain values, reaching 0.0578 mm/mm, while flexion induced greater relative changes, with up to a 22.72% variation between healthy and affected joints. These findings provide critical insights into joint mechanics under pathological conditions, underscoring the potential of biomechanical modeling for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic interventions. By identifying stress concentration zones, the study highlights the utility of finite element models in designing improved surgical techniques and targeted rehabilitation protocols, ultimately advancing treatment outcomes for patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

Keywords: 3D segmentation, Femoroacetabular impingement, Hip joint mechanics, Finite Element Analysis, Patient-Specific Modeling

Received: 21 Nov 2024; Accepted: 30 Apr 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Castillo, Hernandez-Salazar and González-Estrada. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Octavio Andrés González-Estrada, Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia

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