Computational study on trabecular bone remodeling in human femur under reduced weight-bearing conditions

Trabecular bone structure is determined by a balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption, which is regulated partly by osteocytes according to their mechanical environments. There have been a number of studies on bone remodeling in response to mechanical stimuli, mainly in the physiological range. This study uses a mathematical model previously formulated for surface remodeling available even for disuse and overuse ranges considering osteocyte apoptosis and targeted remodeling. Thus, the present model allows exhibiting the changes of trabecular bone structure under, below, and beyond the daily loading condition. In this study, we carried out computer simulation of bone remodeling in human femur under normal daily loading condition and reduced weight-bearing conditions (infrequent and cane-assisted walking conditions). Decreased trabecular bone with reducing loading condition was shown, and the trabecular bone structure at various degrees of disuse was consistent to Singh Index for osteoporosis diagnosis.