Experimental strain analysis on the entire bony leg compared with FE analysis.

The present study addresses the question of evaluating, by combining both experimental and numerical approaches, the stress/strain distribution within a complete model of the entire lower bony chain. With this purpose an experimental model and a complete 3D finite element one were realised. A load of 700 N has been applied at the top of pelvis and the feet were rigidly fixed. Obtained results reveal interesting consequences deriving by taking into account the complete bony chain; it is possible to get information on load sharing between bones, location of high strain concentrations, and bone relative motion.