Micromechanical properties of human trabecular bone: A hierarchical investigation using nanoindentation

  1. Jonathan Norman1,2,
  2. Joe G. Shapter2,
  3. Ken Short3,
  4. Lachlan J. Smith1,4,
  5. Nicola L. Fazzalari1,4,*

Article first published online: 17 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.31766

Issue

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Volume 87A, Issue 1, pages 196–202, October 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Norman, J., Shapter, J. G., Short, K., Smith, L. J. and Fazzalari, N. L. (2008), Micromechanical properties of human trabecular bone: A hierarchical investigation using nanoindentation. J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 87A: 196–202. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.31766

Author Information

  1. 1

    Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Division of Tissue Pathology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and Hanson Institute, Adelaide, Australia

  2. 2

    School of Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

  3. 3

    Materials and Engineering Science Division, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Menai, Australia

  4. 4

    Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia

*Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Division of Tissue Pathology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and Hanson Institute, Adelaide, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 17 DEC 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 SEP 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 27 JUN 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 4 FEB 2007

Funded by

  • National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
  • University of Adelaide
  • Flinders University
  • Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering

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Keywords:

  • trabecular bone;
  • structural hierarchy;
  • micromechanical properties;
  • nanoindentation

Abstract

The ability to assess the risk of fracture, evaluate new therapies, predict implant success and assess the influence of bone remodeling disorders requires specific measurement of local bone micromechanical properties. Nanoindentation is an established tool for assessing the micromechanical properties of hard biological tissues. In this study, elastic modulus and hardness were quantified using nanoindentation for human trabecular bone from the intertrochanteric region of the proximal femur. These properties were demonstrated to be heterogeneous and highly correlated at the intraspicule, interspicule, and interspecimen levels. The results of this study have important implications for current understanding of structure–function relationships throughout the trabecular bone structural hierarchy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008

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