Computer simulation of trabecular remodeling using a simplified structural model

• Published in: Bone (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 733 - 739
• Main Authors: Tayyar, S., Weinhold, P.S., Butler, R.A., Woodard, J.C., Zardiackas, L.D., St. John, K.R., Bledsoe, J.M., Gilbert, J.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Basic multicellular unit (BMU) activation rate; Biological and medical sciences; Bone and Bones - anatomy & histology; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bone loss; Bone Remodeling - physiology; Bone Resorption; Computer Simulation; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Menopause - physiology; Middle Aged; Models, Anatomic; Models, Biological; Perforation; Skeleton and joints; Space life sciences; Trabecular remodeling; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Basic multicellular unit (BMU) activation rate; Trabecular remodeling; Computer simulation; Bone loss; Perforation; Human; Osteoarticular system; Three dimensional representation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Bone disease; Models; Bone remodeling; Osteopenia
• ISSN: 8756-3282; 1873-2763
• DOI: 10.1016/S8756-3282(99)00218-5

A simplified three-dimensional simulation of trabecular bone remodeling has been developed. The model utilizes 441 planar structural units to represent approximately 50 mm 3 of initial bone volume with 199 basic multicellular units (BMUs). The simulation takes into account trabecular perforation in the structural model. The cases of male bone remodeling with no menopause and female bone remodeling with menopause are examined from the period of simulated age 25–80 years. Menopause is arbitrarily started at age 45 and extends for 7.5 years. Zero-, first-, and second-order BMU activation responses are employed to examine how the bone would be affected by the method of increase of BMU activation during menopause. At age 80, the female bone remodeling simulation produced a bone volume loss of approximately 49% for all three activation responses. This compared to a 38% bone volume loss for the case of no menopause. For the menopause simulations, an average of about 40% of the total bone loss was due to perforation.