Biomechanical response of impacted bony pelvis: influence of the morphometry and bone density

Mechanical properties of human pelvic bone tissue according morphological parameters were few studied in anterior-posterior compression tests and few data are available to correctly validate finite element pelvis models. In order to reduce this gap, 12 pelvic bones were removed from male and female embalmed cadavers and compressed. Anatomic angles were measured and bone's density was calculated after each test. Fractures observed during those tests were coherent with those observed in real life. Bone's density and percentage of mineralisation were not significantly different between the male and female groups. The retropubic angle was significantly larger in the female group (p < 0.05). Mean load necessary to obtain the collapse was significantly higher in the male group (p < 0.05).