Characterising variability and regional correlations of microstructure and mechanical competence of human tibial trabecular bone: An in-vivo HR-pQCT study

Abstract

A novel finding of this study is the fact that significant regional variation of stiffness derived from two-phased FEA model with individual trabecula representation correlated highly to regional morphology obtained from in-vivo HR-pQCT images at the distal tibia. The correlations between regional morphological parameters and mechanical competence of trabecular bone were consistent at all regions studied, with regional BV/TV showing the highest correlation. The method developed for regional analysis of trabecular mechanical competence may offer a better insight into the relationship between mechanical behaviour and microstructure of bone. The findings provide evidence needed to further justify a larger-cohort feasibility study for early detection of bone degenerative diseases: examining regional variations in mechanical competence and trabecular specifications may allow better understanding of fracture risks in addition to others contributing factors.