1.Mechanical Bone Strength in Immobilized Osteopenia:An In Vivo Study
Hironobu KOSEKI ; Yuichiro HONDA ; Shinya SUNAGAWA ; Umi MATSUMURA ; Junya SAKAMOTO ; Minoru OKITA
The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2021;58(5):565-571
Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical strength of immobilized osteopenia using a fixed limb rat model.Methods:Eight-week-old specific-pathogen-free male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, a control group (n=32) and an immobilized group (n=32). The hind limbs of the immobilized group were fixed using an orthopedic cast, and the fixation periods were set for 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Feeding and weight-bearing were permitted. After each fixation period, the length of the right femoral bone was measured, and three-point bending at the midshaft and uniaxial compression test at the distal metaphysis were performed with a universal material testing apparatus. The maximum force and breaking force in the bending test and ultimate load in the compression test were statistically analyzed.Results:The values of the maximum force and breaking force in the immobilized group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p<0.05). The ultimate load of the distal metaphysis in the immobilized group decreased from 1 week after fixation, and the gap with the control group widened as the fixation period extended.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that bone weakness caused by immobilized osteopenia arises after 1 week in the metaphysis and after 4 weeks in the midshaft.