Evaluation of strength of the bone affected by the presence of metastases is fundamental to assess the fracture risk. This work proposes a method to evaluate the variations of strain distributions due to metastatic lesions within the vertebra.
Five porcine vertebrae were tested in compression inside a micro computed tomography scanner. Principal strains were computed within the bone by means of digital volume correlation (BoneDVC).
All intact specimens showed a consistent strain distribution. The artificial lesion generally doubled the strain in the middle portion of the specimen, probably due to stress concentrations close to the defect.
In conclusion, a robust method was developed and will be used to improve clinical assessment of fracture risk in metastatic spines.
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