Orthopaedic Biomechanics

Module overview

Engineering plays a vital role in restoring mobility and improving quality of life through the design of orthopaedic implants and treatments. This module explores the biomechanics of the lower limb, providing an understanding of how engineering principles support the diagnosis, treatment and long-term performance of joint replacements. You will investigate the structure and mechanical behaviour of bone and soft tissues across multiple length scales, developing an understanding of lower limb anatomy, movement and load transfer. Building on these foundations, you will examine the biomechanics of total joint replacement from both engineering and clinical perspectives, exploring implant function, failure mechanisms and the influence of materials selection and design on long-term performance. Throughout the module, you will strengthen your ability to apply engineering analysis to real healthcare challenges while considering the needs of both patients and clinicians. By the end of the module, you will be able to evaluate orthopaedic implants using biomechanical principles and engineering analysis, preparing you for careers in medical device development, orthopaedic engineering and biomedical research.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Applying a knowledge of natural science and engineering principles based on a comprehensive understanding of materials science and mechanics to solve complex problems associated with the use and function of the musculoskeletal system from the cellular level to the whole body level.
The students are taught how to apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques such as finite element analysis and free body diagrams to model complex problems, and understand the limitations of the techniques employed.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of total joint replacement designs
To use standard software packages in problem solving situations
Apply engineering analysis techniques to orthopaedic biomechanics problems
Mechanics of the lower limb
Factors related to the design of hip and knee joint replacement
Techniques used to assess the performance of joint replacement
Make informed decisions as to the best method to assess the performance of total joint replacements
Material properties of bone and soft tissues from the micro level to the macroscopic level
Prepare brief technical reports

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

The coursework is a written assignment that brings together principles learned in the initial series of lectures and asks the students to explain how implanted components failed. They are asked to distil information from technical papers into a concise and readable report.
Case studies are presented throughout the course, and the coursework focusses on a real-world problem. The reasoning behind the failures and how they could have been mitigated are discussed.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include • Lectures - Including guest talks from clinicians and industry • Computing labs - Using basic computational modelling techniques to develop models of the bone and augmenting the model as the course progresses to include surrounding tissues, motions, loads and implanted bone. • Online resources - Blackboard - Case studies

Study time
Type	Hours
Wider reading or practice	10
Preparation for scheduled sessions	64
Lecture	30
Supervised time in studio/workshop	6
Completion of assessment task	40
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	75%
Continuous Assessment	25%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External