title: Computed tomography-based finite element analysis to assess fracture risk and osteoporosis treatment.
abstract: Finite element analysis (FEA) is a computer technique of structural stress analysis and developed in engineering mechanics. FEA has developed to investigate structural behavior of human bones over the past 40 years. When the faster computers have acquired, better FEA, using 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) has been developed. This CT-based finite element analysis (CT/FEA) has provided clinicians with useful data. In this review, the mechanism of CT/FEA, validation studies of CT/FEA to evaluate accuracy and reliability in human bones, and clinical application studies to assess fracture risk and effects of osteoporosis medication are overviewed.
authors: Kazuhiro Imai, Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Imai
keywords: Bone mechanics; Finite element analysis; Fracture risk; Hip fracture; Osteoporosis; Vertebral fracture