Research on human bone microhardness distribution characteristics of acetabulum anterior and posterior columns

Abstract

Objective To analysis the hardness distribution characteristics of the anterior and posterior column of the acetabulum, and to explore the value of bone hardness distribution in scientific research and clinical application. Methods The metatarsal bones in this study were collected from three healthy donors (two males, one female, Hebei Medical University). Three pairs of anterior and posterior acetabular column were selected, all the soft tissue was removed. Bone specimens with a thickness of 3 mm were taken from anterior and posterior acetabular column with a low-speed saw. The microhardness of the bone tissue was measured using a Vickers microhardness tester after polish. The indentation load and dwell time was set to 50 g and 12 s in this study. The paired t test was used for data comparison between groups. Results Bone specimens, which were randomly cut from the anterior acetabular column and the posterior acetabular column in human body, representing different longitudinal positions of the anterior and posterior acetabular columns. Totally, 450 valid values at different bones and anatomic sites were involved in our result. The total hardness of the acetabular anterior column ranged from 18.9 to 33.8 HV with a mean of (25.2±3.1) HV and that of the acetabular posterior column ranged from 23.1 to 39.1 HV with a mean value of (31.9±3.8) HV. Bone hardness of acetabular anterior column and posterior column of male donor ranged from 18.8 to 33.8 HV and 23.1 to 39.1 HV respectively. For the female donor, the total hardness of acetabular anterior column and posterior column were 19.4-33.8 HV and 24.6-38.9 HV, the average bone hardness of posterior column of the acetabulum was larger than that of the anterior column, and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.502、4.724、5.487, all P<0.01). The data showed that there was a difference in hardness distribution between the anterior and posterior column of the acetabulum in both men and women. Conclusions There are individual differences for the hardness of acetabular, and the hardness of posterior column is higher than that of anterior column. This study can provide a reference for the position of implants, length and direction of screw, as well as provide reliable data support for the development of implants and acetabular prostheses in line with the gradient elastic modulus of human body. Key words: Acetabulum; Hardness; Bone; Imaging, three-dimensional