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Geometric variables from DXA of the radius predict forearm fracture load in vitro

  • Clinical Investigations
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Summary

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the cross-sectional geometry of the radius in female and male cadaveric specimens using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to measure the accuracy of this technique compared with a digitizing procedure, and to measure the correlation between these DXA-based geometric variables and the load required to produce a forearm fracture. Paired intact forearms were scanned at a distal site and at a site approximately 30% of the forearm length from the distal end. The cross-sectional area and the moments of inertia of two sections at 10 and 30% of the forearm length were computed from the X-ray attenuation data. One member of each pair was then sectioned at the 30% location, which is mostly cortical bone, and the section was traced on a digitizing pad. The other forearm was loaded to failure in a servohydraulic materials test system. The DXA-based area and moment of inertia at 30% correlated significantly with the digitized results (r2=0.93 for area; r2=0.95 for moment; P<0.001). The conventional bone mineral density from DXA did not associate significantly with failure load, but the minimum moment of inertia and the cross-sectional area at 10% correlated in a strong and significant manner with the forearm fracture force (r2=0.67 for area; r2=0.66 for moment; P<0.001). The determination of radial bone cross-sectional geometry, therefore, should have better discriminatory capabilities than bone mineral density in studies of bone fragility and fracture risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Beth Israel Hospital, 02215, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Elizabeth R. Myers, Aaron T. Hecker, Daniel S. Rooks, John A. Hipp & Wilson C. Hayes

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  1. Elizabeth R. Myers
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  2. Aaron T. Hecker
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  3. Daniel S. Rooks
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  4. John A. Hipp
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  5. Wilson C. Hayes
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Myers, E.R., Hecker, A.T., Rooks, D.S. et al. Geometric variables from DXA of the radius predict forearm fracture load in vitro . Calcif Tissue Int 52, 199–204 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298718

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298718

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