Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent experimental studies have suggested that the combinationof DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and ultrasound (US) measurements could improve the predictionof bone strength. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of bone density and US velocity,measured by the phalangeal US system, to predict the Young's modulus and strength of cancellous bone.MATERIAL/METHODS: 35 cubes of bovine cancellous bone from the distal radii were prepared using a diamondcutting saw. The US velocity (Speed of Sound - SoS [m/s]) was measured for the three orthogonal directions(proximal-distal - PD; anterior-posterior - AP; medial-lateral - ML) using a DBM Sonic 1200 device (Igea,Italy). Bone mineral density (BMD [g/cm2]) was measured by DXA, as well as the apparent volumetric BMD(v-BMD [g/cm3], as the ratio of BMD to sample thickness). Young's modulus (E[MPa]) and ultimate strength(s[MPa]) were measured in the PD and AP directions by the uniaxial compressive test. RESULTS: The SoSand biomechanical parameters were significantly higher (p

Keywords: Biomechanics, Bone Density, Bone and Bones, Cattle, Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Ultrasonics