Bone QUS measurement performed under loading condition, a more accuracy ultrasound method for osteoporosis diagnosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a worldwide health problem with enormous social and economic impact. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) method provides comprehensive information on bone mass, microstructure and mechanical properties of the bone. And the cheap, safe and portable ultrasound equipment is more suitable for public health monitoring. QUS measurement was normally performed on bone specimens without mechanical loading. But human bones are subjected to loading during routine daily activities, and physical loading leads to the changes of bone microstructure and mechanical properties. We hypothesized that bone QUS parameters measured under loading condition differ from those measured without loading because the microstructure of bone was changed when loading subjected to bone. Furthermore, when loading was subjected on bone, the loading-lead microstructure change of osteoporosis bone may larger than that of health bone. By considering the high relationship between bone microstructure and QUS parameters, the QUS parameters of osteoporosis bone may changed larger than that of health bone. So osteoporosis may be detected more effectively by the combination of QUS method and mechanical loading.