Mch. Vandermeulen et al., CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THEORETICAL-MODELS AND DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY MEASUREMENTS OF FEMORAL CROSS-SECTIONAL GROWTH DURING ADOLESCENCE, Journal of orthopaedic research, 15(3), 1997, pp. 473-476
We have developed an analytical model of long bone cross-sectional ont
ogeny in which appositional growth of the diaphysis is primarily drive
n by mechanical stimuli associated with increasing body mass during gr
owth and development. In this study? our goal was to compare theoretic
al predictions of femoral diaphyseal structure from this model with me
asurements of femoral bone mineral and geometry by dual energy x-ray a
bsorptiometry Measurements of mid-diaphyseal femoral geometry and stru
cture were made previously in 101 Caucasian adolescents and young adul
ts 9-26 years of age. The data on measured bone mineral content and ca
lculated section modulus were compared with the results of our analyti
cal model of cross-sectional development of the human femur over the s
ame age range. Both bone mineral content and section modulus showed go
od correspondence with experimental measurements when the relationship
s with age and body mass were examined. Strong linear relationships we
re evident for both parameters when examined as a function of body mas
s.