Use and Bi-lateral comparison of radius bone strength

Determining the strength of a bone used to be done by simply measuring the Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

However has been expanded upon in resent years to include more variables looking at not only the density but the distribution and quality of the bone

The use of the computed tomography has given us the ability to look at other things besides BMD

bone shape muscle adipose

By combining these numbers along with the BMD we can get a better sense of the strength of the bone.

To measure just the BMD, the DEXA scan was used

However this does not provide a full picture of the mechanical strength of the bone

However BMD along with other factors can be used to determine bone strength much more accurately.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry This machine uses two x-ray beams set at

two different energy levels By measuring the amount of the beam that

pass through the bone, BMD can be calculated

Provides a cross sectional “slice” picture of the bone, and at multiple locations if needed

Provides a more detailed picture of the bone being scanned

Allows clinicians to measure different parts of the make up of the bone.

Dexa Pro Dexa Con

QuickNon-invasiveCan scan difficult areas(hip and spine)Low dose of radiation

Planar view Can only find BMD Large equipment size Can not measure

collagen in bone

Pro Cons

Provides a cross sectional picture and data of bone

The best way to measure bone strength of appendages

Offers a look at make up of bone sections(cortical vs trabecular)

Can only estimate at BMD due to low spacial resolution

Can not measure the collagen content of bone

Cannot scan axial skeleton

• Know anatomical landmarks to measure object length • Obtain patient’s medical history before scan• Make sure patient is positioned properly and is comfortable

• Input patient information• Select measurement mask• Run scout scan• Run measurement mask• Organize Data Analysis• Print results

To scan both dominate and non-dominate forearms

We hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in the bone strength, density and area

The null being that there would be no difference

T-Test Significance Between Right and Left Arm

<0.05 = There is Significant Difference Between Right and Left Arm

T-test Strength: 0.041T-test Density: 0.623T-test Area: 0.019FX load X: 0.014Fx load Y: 0.027

We were limited in our study by the amount of time we had to work with the PQCT

We were also limited by the schedules that we each had

We also figured out a little too late that the calibrations contained the standard deviations for the errors in scanning