A volumetric finite element sheme to investigate the mechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic trabecular bone

摘要

The mechanical properties of trabecular bone such as strengtha nd stiffness are strongly related to apparent density (Carter and Hayes, 1977) and architecture (Gibson, 1985). Age or disease related bone loss directly affects both the apparent density as well as the architecture of the trabecular bone thereby affecting its mechanical properties. A knowledge of local (tissue) stresses and strains in trabecular bone is, therefore, essential to understanding mechanical failure in osteoporotic bone.