Cancellous bone material properties in osteoarthritic and rheumatoid total knee patients

One hundred and thirty-four cancellous bone biopsy specimens were taken from the proximal tibias and distal femurs of 55 patients undergoing total knee replacement for analysis of their area fraction and mechanical testing to determine their strength and stiffness. The purpose of the study was to measure the material properties of cancellous bone taken from arthritic patients and compare these with bone from normal subjects. The results showed a wide variation of strength (0.5-18.1 MPa, mean 5.6 MPa) and stiffness (11-504 MPa, mean 152 MPa). These values are in the same range or less than those reported for bone from normal tibias.