title: Elastic modulus of the femoral trochanteric region measured by scanning acoustic microscopy in elderly women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have devised a method that can obtain continuous detailed distributions of the elastic modulus along the measurement line in a non-decalcified specimen of human bone tissue. The aim of this study was to determine whether local variations exist in the distribution of mechanical properties within the trochanteric region of the femur of elderly females using a newly developed form of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human proximal femurs were harvested from seven female cadavers aged between 67 and 88 years at death. Using data collected with SAM, the elastic modulus of cortical and trabecular bone tissue of the lateral and medial trochanter was calculated and statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The longitudinal and transverse elastic moduli in cortical bone tissue of the lateral trochanter were found to be significantly lower than those of the medial trochanter in all specimens from individuals over age 70 (p < 0.05). Compared to that of the distal region, the longitudinal and transverse elastic moduli of trabecular bone tissue of the proximal region of the lateral trochanter were significantly lower in all specimens from individuals over age 80 (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our new method allows obtaining detailed distributions of the elastic modulus of bone tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan. matsuki_h@marunouchi.or.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, 165 Koen-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido, 090-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shibano
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, 165 Koen-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido, 090-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Marunouchi Hospital, 1-7-45 Nagisa, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakatsuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moriizumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic
keywords: Bone tissue; Elastic modulus; Scanning acoustic microscopy; Trochanter