Orthogonal properties of human trabecular bone by spherical indentation test

Abstract

The elastic modulus and the apparent density of the trabecular bone were evaluated from spherical indentation tests and Computed Tomography and their relationship was quantified. After the femurs were prepared and embedded with respect to their anatomical orientation, the transverse planes of the trabecular bone specimens were scanned at 1mm intervals using a CT scanner. The metaphyseal regions were sectioned with a diamond-blacle saw, producing 8mm cubes. Using a custom-made spherical indentation tester, the cubes were mechanically tested in the anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML), and inferior-superior (IS) directions. After determination of modulus from the mechanical testing, the apparent densities of the specimens were measured. The results showed that the IS modulus was significantly greater than both the AP and ML moduli with the AP modulus greater than the ML modulus. This demonstrated that orthogonality was a structural characteristic of the trabecular bone. The power relationship between the modulus and the apparent density was also found to be statistically significant.