Biomechanical Evaluation of Osteoporosis Treating with Mechanical Vibrations: A Finite Element Analysis

摘要

Studies of cells, animals, and humans indicate that vibrations are a safe, non-drug-based means of protecting and improving the musculoskeletal system. Mechanical vibrations can increase the bone mass and strength of the skeletal system, which are difficult to measure in vivo but can be estimated using micro-CT and finite element methods (FEM). In this study, five micro-CT models were constructed based on the morphology and characteristics of the skeletal system obtained from micro-CT data and used to analyze bone mass. FEM were used to compare biomechanical properties in a sham-operation group (SH), model control group (MC), Icariin treatment group (IR), mechanical vibration group (MV), and Icariin combined with mechanical vibration group (IRMV) and explain the biomechanical mechanism for the clinical application of mechanical vibrations. The histomorphometric measurement of trabeculae revealed a significant reduction in the numbers of trabeculae in osteoporotic rats as compared to healthy rats as well as a significant increase in the number of trabeculae after drug therapy and mechanical stimulus were administered. In addition, the results of finite element analysis (FEA) revealed osteoporosis may increase the peak stress, whereas Icariin alone or when combined with mechanical vibration reduces the peak stress of trabeculae. The computational results suggest that Icariin combined with mechanical vibration may obtain a better biomechanical reach.