Full-field experimental analysis of the influence of microstructural parameters on the mechanical properties of humeral head trabecular bone

Systematic review of computed tomography parameters used for the assessment of subchondral bone in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the published parameters for the assessment of subchondral bone in human osteoarthritis (OA) using computed tomography (CT) and gain an overview of current practices and standards.

DESIGN

A literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed with search strategies tailored to each database (search from 2010 to January 2023). The search results were screened independently by two reviewers against pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were deemed eligible if conducted in vivo/ex vivo in human adults (>18 years) using any type of CT to assess subchondral bone in OA. Extracted data from eligible studies were compiled in a qualitative summary and formal narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

This analysis included 202 studies. Four groups of CT modalities were identified to have been used for subchondral bone assessment in OA across nine anatomical locations. Subchondral bone parameters measuring similar features of OA were combined in six categories: (i) microstructure, (ii) bone adaptation, (iii) gross morphology (iv) mineralisation, (v) joint space, and (vi) mechanical properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically meaningful parameter categories were identified as well as categories with the potential to become relevant in the clinical field. Furthermore, we stress the importance of quantification of parameters to improve their sensitivity and reliability for the evaluation of OA disease progression and the need for standardised measurement methods to improve their clinical value.

Relationship between mechanical and microstructural parameters of rat lumbar spine in different ages

Exploring the relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties of bones may provide effective suggestions for increasing bone strength and reducing osteoporotic fracture. In this research, the tissue-level mechanical parameters, microstructure parameters of cancellous bone, and apparent mechanical parameters of L6 vertebral body were calculated in female SD rats aged 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 9-, 11-, 13-, 15-, 16-, and 17-month-old. Data were processed with Kruskal-Wallis test, linear regression and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Appropriately increasing the plate Tb.N could enhance mechanical properties of bone. Tb.Th and Tb.N were two key factors in determining the tissue-level mechanical properties of cancellous bone. The microstructure could significantly predict mechanical parameters. Our findings may help to further understand the mechanism of osteoporotic fractures.