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Similar damage initiation but different failure behavior in trabecular and cortical bone tissue
M E Szabó1, J Zekonyte, O L Katsamenis
1Bioengineering Science Research Group, National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton, School of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|November 22, 2011
Summary
Cortical bone shows lower maximum strain and less damage before fracture than trabecular bone. However, microstructural and compositional differences, not mineralization, explain their distinct mechanical behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical engineering
- Materials science
- Orthopedic research
Background:
- Bone mechanical properties depend on micro/nanostructure and composition.
- Cortical bone is generally considered stiffer than trabecular bone.
- Understanding microdamage progression is crucial for bone fracture mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare microdamage progression and local strains in trabecular and cortical bone during fracture.
- Investigate the underlying reasons for differing mechanical properties between bone types.
- Relate microstructural and compositional factors to mechanical behavior.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical testing (three-point bending) of bovine trabecular and cortical bone samples.
- Digital image correlation for real-time local strain assessment.
- Bone whitening observation for microdamage detection and propagation analysis.
- Nanoindentation and micro-Raman imaging for elastic modulus and mineral distribution analysis.
Main Results:
- Cortical bone exhibited significantly lower maximum strains (22.9%±7.4%) and less accumulated damage (8000±3400 pix/mm2) at failure compared to trabecular bone (36.6%±14% and 16100±8800 pix/mm2).
- No significant difference was found in the maximum local strain at the onset of bone whitening (trabecular: 5.8%±2.6% vs. cortical: 7.2%±3.1%).
- Cortical bone was stiffer and more mineralized overall, but mineral distribution and modulus values were similar between the two tissues.
Conclusions:
- Differences in mechanical behavior are primarily attributed to microstructural features (e.g., cement lines) and collagen composition, rather than overall mineralization or modulus distribution.
- Microdamage accumulation and strain tolerance vary significantly between cortical and trabecular bone.
- Further research into microstructural and compositional elements is needed to fully understand bone mechanics.
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