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Which experimental procedures influence the apparent proximal femoral stiffness? A parametric study
Morteza Amini1,2, Andreas Reisinger1,2, Lena Hirtler3
1Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, Vienna, 1060, Austria.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|September 24, 2021
Summary
Storage significantly impacts bone stiffness measurements, while loading direction and setup variations have less effect. Avoid storage between tests for repeatable experimental validation of bone models.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedic research
- Finite element modeling
Background:
- Experimental validation is crucial for developing accurate bone models.
- Investigating multiple loading directions enhances predictive model development.
- Understanding experimental parameter effects is key to capturing bone's directional response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of common experimental parameters on proximal femur apparent stiffness.
- To assess the influence of random uncertainties and controlled loading variations.
- To provide guidance for repeatable multi-directional experimental validation studies.
Main Methods:
- A parametric approach was used to study uncertainties (storage, μCT scanning, etc.) and loading direction variations.
- Ten fresh-frozen proximal femurs were tested in stance and side-fall configurations under varied loading angles.
- Apparent stiffness was measured using load-displacement data and validated with digital image correlation (DIC).
Main Results:
- Storage significantly affected proximal femur apparent stiffness.
- Loading direction deviation (15°) had a significant effect, comparable to changing from stance to side-fall.
- Random effects from setup manipulation and μCT scanning were negligible.
Conclusions:
- Comparisons of bone stiffness across loading scenarios require avoiding storage intervals between tests.
- Results offer guidance for designing highly repeatable, multi-directional experimental validation studies.
- Minimizing storage is essential for reliable bone mechanical testing.
