Micro-finite element model for bone strength prediction

A quantitative assessment of trabecular bone strength at the tissue level is essential for understanding bone failure mechanisms associated with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, loosening of implants, and cell-mediated adaptive bone remodeling. The material properties of the trabeculae, in combination with their microarchitectures at the tissue level, determine the strength of trabecular bone. Micro-CT (computed tomography) image-based micro-finite element analysis takes most determinants of trabecular bone strength into consideration, such as the material properties of the trabeculae and their micro-architectures. Under large loading conditions, bone tissue material nonlinearity and large deformations within the trabecular network, such as bending and buckling, are important for the characterization of the apparent and tissue-level failure behaviors. In this chapter, two trabecular specimens with different microstructures are used as examples to illustrate a numerical technique that offers a better understanding of trabecular yield behaviors under different loading directions.