An implant, and a method of designing the implant, takes into account heterogeneous bone properties. The method may be directed to designing a fixation feature of the implant using a virtual bone model. Bone property information derived from image data may be mapped to the virtual bone. A virtual model of the implant may be created, including a virtual fixation feature characterized by an input parameter. One or more simulations may be performed, the simulations being of an implantation of the virtual implant on the virtual bone. Values for at least one input parameter may be used for each simulation, each simulation resulting in a value for an output parameter. The input and output values may be analyzed to derive a relationship between the values, the relationship being used to design the fixation feature of the implant.
