Biomechanics of femoral deformity in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI): a quantitative approach to rehabilitation

Skeletal deformity is an important characteristic of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). To study the influence of deformity in stress/strain distribution, a finite element analysis (TEA) of the femur during physiological loading was developed. The diaphysis was altered mathematically to reflect different clinical deformities of OI. Joint reaction and muscle forces were adapted from the literature to reproduce the loading environment at 10% gait cycle (loading response, LR). The goal of the study was to quantitatively describe the stress/strain distribution while comparing the extent of deformity. The results showed that deformity could deteriorate the stress/strain distribution. The study offers a quantitative means for rehabilitative intervention.