title: A mechanical model for predicting the probability of osteoporotic hip fractures based in DXA measurements and finite element simulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporotic hip fractures represent major cause of disability, loss of quality of life and even mortality among the elderly population. Decisions on drug therapy are based on the assessment of risk factors for fracture, from BMD measurements. The combination of biomechanical models with clinical studies could better estimate bone strength and supporting the specialists in their decision.
  
  
  METHODS
  A model to assess the probability of fracture, based on the Damage and Fracture Mechanics has been developed, evaluating the mechanical magnitudes involved in the fracture process from clinical BMD measurements. The model is intended for simulating the degenerative process in the skeleton, with the consequent lost of bone mass and hence the decrease of its mechanical resistance which enables the fracture due to different traumatisms. Clinical studies were chosen, both in non-treatment conditions and receiving drug therapy, and fitted to specific patients according their actual BMD measures. The predictive model is applied in a FE simulation of the proximal femur. The fracture zone would be determined according loading scenario (sideway fall, impact, accidental loads, etc.), using the mechanical properties of bone obtained from the evolutionary model corresponding to the considered time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMD evolution in untreated patients and in those under different treatments was analyzed. Evolutionary curves of fracture probability were obtained from the evolution of mechanical damage. The evolutionary curve of the untreated group of patients presented a marked increase of the fracture probability, while the curves of patients under drug treatment showed variable decreased risks, depending on the therapy type.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FE model allowed to obtain detailed maps of damage and fracture probability, identifying high-risk local zones at femoral neck and intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric areas, which are the typical locations of osteoporotic hip fractures.The developed model is suitable for being used in individualized cases. The model might better identify at-risk individuals in early stages of osteoporosis and might be helpful for treatment decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ibarz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mateo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lobo-Escolar
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puértolas
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gracia
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D015519:Bone Density; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013718:Tensile Strength