Quantification of trabecular bone microdamage using the virtual internal bond model and the individual trabeculae...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Trabecular bone microdamage is critical for skeletal integrity and bone remodeling.
• Existing models often require separate fracture criteria to simulate bone damage.
• Understanding microarchitectural effects on bone damage is essential for predicting skeletal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel constitutive model, the virtual internal bond (VIB) model, for simulating trabecular bone damage.
• To analyze the influence of microarchitectural features on bone microdamage using a 3D image analysis technique.
• To capture microdamage initiation and accumulation without a separate fracture criterion.

Main Methods:

• Adoption of the virtual internal bond (VIB) model for bone tissue damage simulation.
• Application of a 3D image analysis technique, individual trabeculae segmentation, for microarchitectural analysis.
• Finite-element method simulation embedded with the VIB model.

Main Results:

• The VIB-embedded finite-element method simulation successfully captured microdamage initiation and accumulation without a separate fracture criterion.
• Microdamage was observed to initiate as early as 0.2-0.4% apparent strain.
• Significant microdamage accumulation occurred around the apparent yield strain, with plate-like trabeculae, particularly longitudinal ones, playing crucial roles.

Conclusions:

• The virtual internal bond (VIB) model provides a robust framework for simulating trabecular bone microdamage.
• The study highlights the critical role of microarchitecture, specifically plate-like trabeculae, in bone's response to damage.
• This approach advances the understanding of skeletal integrity and bone remodeling processes under mechanical stress.