Electromagnetic field induced alterations in fluid flow through lacuno-canalicular system of bone

Abstract

Osteoporosis, bone-muscle disuse, and long-term exposure to space microgravity cause bone loss and promote bone fractures. Therapeutic devices and interventions for the prevention of bone loss and regulation of fracture healing are serious challenges for orthopaedic clinicians and researchers. Electromagnetic field exposure in combination with mechanical loading has the potential to prevent disuse bone loss as it promotes osteogenesis i.e., new bone formation. Loading-induced fluid motion in lacunar space acts as a stimulus for osteo-activities. Nevertheless, how the electromagnetic field regulates biomechanical stimulus such as fluid motion required for osteogenesis within bone tissue is not well understood. Accordingly, this paper attempts to establish a mathematical model to investigate the role of electromagnetic fields to alter the cantilever bending-induced lacunar fluid flow behaviour. A more realistic curvy canalicular channel subjected to electrohydrodynamics (EHD) mechanism is modelled to study poromechanical and canalicular fluid flow parameters such as pore-pressure gradient, fluid velocity, wall shear, and streamline patterns. Computational results indicate that electromagnetic fields modulate the fluid motion required for osteogenic activities even in bone tissues with higher porosity and permeability. The present study explains how electromagnetic fields possibly modulate mechanobiological stimulus in bone tissue. Based on the outcomes, an optimal loading regimen along with the electromagnetic field can be selected to enhance osteogenic response to prevent and mitigate irreversible bone loss that occurred due to microgravity and disuse.