title: Finite element models predict the location of microdamage in cancellous bone following uniaxial loading.
abstract: High-resolution finite element models derived from micro-computed tomography images are often used to study the effects of trabecular microarchitecture and loading mode on tissue stress, but the degree to which existing finite element methods correctly predict the location of tissue failure is not well characterized. In the current study, we determined the relationship between the location of highly strained tissue, as determined from high-resolution finite element models, and the location of tissue microdamage, as determined from three-dimensional fluoroscopy imaging, which was performed after the microdamage was generated in-vitro by mechanical testing. Fourteen specimens of human vertebral cancellous bone were assessed (8 male donors, 2 female donors, 47-78 years of age). Regions of stained microdamage, were 50-75% more likely to form in highly strained tissue (principal strains exceeding 0.4%) than elsewhere, and generally the locations of the regions of microdamage were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with the locations of highly strained tissue. This spatial correlation was stronger for the largest regions of microdamage (≥1,000,000μm(3) in volume); 87% of large regions of microdamage were located near highly strained tissue. Together, these findings demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between regions of microdamage and regions of high strain in human cancellous bone, particularly for the biomechanically more important large instances of microdamage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.affiliation: Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lambers
authors.affiliation: Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Sorna
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Keaveny
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, NY, USA. Electronic address: cjh275@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hernandez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
keywords: Bone mechanics; Finite element model; Microdamage