In the Rodent Tail Loading Model, Locations of Cancellous Tissue with High Mechanical Strain are not Affected by Small Off-axis Loads

Abstract

The relationship between mechanical stresses and strains and bone adaptation in cancellous bone has not been explored at the scale of individual trabeculae. Finite element models are necessary to measure mechanical stresses/strains at the scale of individual trabeculae. Small variations in in-vivo loading conditions may lead to incorrect strain distribution predictions from idealized finite element models. Here we examined how small variations in the loading conditions affected the location of tissue with high mechanical strain in cancellous bone by simulating translational and angular displacements. Neither translational nor angular displacements significantly altered the location of tissue with high mechanical strain in cancellous bone.