The value of mineral density and quality indicators of bone tissue in ensuring its strength in osteoporosis

The purpose of that investigation was to study the factors influencing the strength of femoral neck and its endurance to loads in osteoporosis. In experiment 24 samples of proximal femur obtained in autopsy from patients older than 60 years who died from different diseases without disturbance of bone metabolism were investigated. Mineral density of cortical and cancellous bones was assessed in standard zones using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). For the imitation of soft tissues the samples were placed in water and that allowed to compare the data obtained with norm measurement used for diagnosis of osteoporosis. Strength of femoral neck and its cortical layer as well as limit of elastic deformities, deformity value of femoral neck were evaluated in gradually increasing load. High correlation was showed between neck strength and BMD (r=0.86, p<0.001). Osteoporotic qualitative state of bone and structural peculiarities of femoral neck influenced the bone strength independently of BMD value. The main role of cortical bone in providence the strength offemoral neck was confirmed in experiment.