Dynamic Simulation of Biomechanical Behaviour of the Pelvis in the Lateral Impact Loads

The comparison of age- and sex-specific alteration in pubic bone microstructure: A cross-sectional cadaveric study

BACKGROUND

The burden of age-associated fragility fracture of the pelvis has gradually amplified over the years. Commonly used clinical tools cannot fully explain age-associated fracture risk increase, and microstructural analysis could be required to elucidate pubic bone strength decline in elderly.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study sample encompassed 46 pubic bones obtained from cadaveric donors divided into a young women (<45 years, n = 11), aged women (>60 years, n = 11), young men (<45 years, n = 12) and aged men group (>60 years, n = 12). Micro-computed tomography was used to evaluate the cortical and trabecular microstructure of pubic bone samples.

RESULTS

Apart from age-associated loss in quantitative trabecular parameters, significant alteration of micro-CT parameters that more closely reflect internal trabecular microarchitectural complexity may contribute to pubic bone strength decline in men and women of advanced age (p < 0.05). Additionally, decreased cortical thickness and increased Ct.Po, Po.Dm and Po.N were found in the anterior and posterior cortical surface of pubic bone samples from the aged individuals (p < 0.05). The more pronounced alteration was noted in aged female donors, illustrated in a significant deterioration trend of the Tb.N, Tb.Sp, and thinner posterior cortical surface with decreased pore spacing (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that age-associated deterioration in trabecular and cortical pubic bone micro-architecture could unravel a morphological basis for decreased pubic bone strength and increased pubic bone fragility, which leads to fracture predilection in the elderly women. Thus, the individual fracture risk assessment should be advised in the elderly, with a particular accent on aged women.

Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Manufacturing by Digital Human Modeling

This research concerns the workplace design methodology, involving digital human models, that prevents work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). We propose an approach that, in conjunction with one of the classic WMSD risk assessment methods, allows one to simplify simulations in a three-dimensional digital environment. Two real-life workstations from a manufacturing industry were modelled in a 3D Studio Max environment by means of an Anthropos ErgoMax system. A number of simulations show that, for the examined cases, classic boundary mannequins’ approaches can be replaced by using 50th percentile of a population individual, with a minimal impact on the WMSD risk. Although, the finding might not be suitable in all situations, it should be considered, especially where compromise solutions are being sought due to other criteria.