Image-guided Computational and Experimental Analyses of Fractured Patient's Bone (GAP)

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the mechanisms of bone damage at the microscopic level, focusing on fractures related to aging and conditions like osteoporosis. The study aims to better understand how features such as bone gaps, canaliculi, and microporosities influence damage and fracture risk. Current tools for predicting fractures mainly use bone mineral density, but this research seeks to develop new micro-scale fracture indices to improve early diagnosis of osteoporosis. The study involves collecting femoral head bone samples from patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. These samples are examined using advanced imaging techniques such as micro-tomography and tested with micro-compression machines inside a synchrotron. Two groups are compared: osteoporotic patients and non-osteoporotic patients, to evaluate differences in bone damage patterns, especially the number of bone gaps affected by micro-damage. Participants provide routine preoperative CT scans and consent for use of their bone samples. Researchers analyze the bone microstructure, perform numerical modeling, and validate computational damage models through experimental testing. The main outcome measured is the number of lacunae (small cavities in bone) involved in damage over six months. This research could lead to better tools for fracture risk prediction and osteoporosis diagnosis, with the study extending through August 2028.

Image-guided Computational and Experimental Analyses of Fractured Patient's Bone (GAP)