Influence of Minor Trabecular Elements on Fast and Slow Wave Propagations through Cancellous Bone

Abstract

Fast and slow longitudinal waves could propagate through cancellous bone in the direction parallel to the trabecular orientation; therefore, the major trabecular elements in the propagation direction are closely related to both the fast and slow wave propagations. To clarify in detail how the trabecular microstructure can be related to these waves, in this study, the influence of minor trabecular rods and pore spaces perpendicular to major trabecular plates was investigated using cancellous bone phantoms developed on the basis of a stratified model. In both experimental and simulated results, both waves were disturbed by trabecular rods and pore spaces. Moreover, it was investigated by simulation using realistic cancellous bone models via two erosion procedures whether the disturbance of both wave propagations due to minor trabecular elements could be induced in the real bone.