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Influence of Mineralization and Microporosity on Tissue Elasticity: Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Mineralized Turkey Leg Tendons

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Abstract

A combined experimental and numerical study correlating indentation stiffness with mineralization and microporosity was performed on mineralized turkey leg tendon. Two distinct tissue morphologies were distinguished by quantitative backscattered electron imaging and called “circumferential” and “interstitial” zones. These two zones showed different tissue organization, microporosity, and mineralization. Stiffness, measured by microindentation, was also different in the two zones. The mean field method of modeling of mineralized collagen fibers was employed to explain the differences.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grant P19009-N20 of the Austrian Science Foundation. The authors thank Peter Varga for providing the samples and help with image processing, Andreas Reisinger for advice in modeling, Phaedra Messmer for technical assistance with qBEI measurements, and Gerda Dinst and Kamilla Nawrot-Wawrzyniak for sample processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Ewa M. Spiesz & Philippe K. Zysset

  2. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Osteology at the Hanusch Hospital of WGKK and AUVA Trauma Centre Meidling, 1st Medical Department, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    Paul Roschger

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  1. Ewa M. Spiesz
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  2. Paul Roschger
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  3. Philippe K. Zysset
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Correspondence to Ewa M. Spiesz.

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The authors have stated that they have no conflict of interest.

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Spiesz, E.M., Roschger, P. & Zysset, P.K. Influence of Mineralization and Microporosity on Tissue Elasticity: Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Mineralized Turkey Leg Tendons. Calcif Tissue Int 90, 319–329 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-012-9578-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-012-9578-5

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