Tensile fracture of cancellous bone

Excised specimens of cancellous bone from human femora were subjected to compressive or tensile testing, and the resulting force-displacement curves were recorded. The relationships between bone strength and apparent density were similar for specimens tested in these two loading modes. The modulus of elasticity was also comparable for the tensile and compressive specimens. Specimens loaded in compression absorbed considerable energy after the initial fracture because of progressive impaction of the trabeculae. In the specimens loaded in tension, the fractured bone fragments separated and therefore absorbed little additional energy after the initial failure. The energy absorption capacity was thus significantly lower for the tensile specimens. The results of this study show that the primary difference in mechanical properties of cancellous bone tested in tension and compression is the energy absorption capacity. This finding suggests that tensile and avulsion fractures of cancellous bone observed clinically are associated with minimal energy absorption and therefore may be precipitated by relatively minor trauma.