Prediction of proximal femur strength by a quantitative computed tomography-based finite element method—Creation of predicted strength data of the proximal femur according to age range in a normal population

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that affect the predicted bone strength of proximal femur in Japanese population.

Methods. Participants (552 men and 273 women) in a health checkup program with computed tomography (CT) at the University of Tokyo Hospital were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional finite element models of the proximal femur were constructed from CT data of the participants with simultaneous scans of a calibration phantom containing hydroxyapatite rods. Multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the predicted bone strength and clinical factors.

Results. Average predicted strength of proximal femur was lower in women than in men in all age ranges. Predicted bone strength in women under both stance and fall configurations significantly decreased with age, and that in men had the tendency to decrease with age. Body weight positively affected the predicted bone strength in both men and women.

Conclusions. This is the first cross-sectional analysis of the predicted bone strength of the proximal femur in Japanese population of wide age range. Age and body weight critically affected bone strength of proximal femur determined by quantitative CT-based finite element method, in particular in women, under both stance and fall configurations.

Keywords:

• Bone strength
• Finite element method
• Fracture
• Osteoporosis

Conflict of interest

None.