Tibial bone strength is negatively affected by volumetric muscle loss injury to the adjacent muscle in male mice

This study's objective was to investigate how contractile strength loss associated with a volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury affects the adjacent tibial bone structural and functional properties in male C57BL/6J mice. Mice were randomized into one of two experimental groups: VML‐injured mice that were injured at age 12 weeks and aged to 20 weeks (8 weeks postinjury, VML) and 20‐week‐old age‐matched uninjured mice (Uninjured‐20). Tibial bone strength, mid‐diaphysis cortical geometry, intrinsic material properties, and metaphyseal trabecular bone structure were assessed by three‐point bending and microcomputed tomography (µCT). The plantar flexor muscle group (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris) was analyzed for its functional capacities, that is, peak‐isometric torque and peak‐isokinetic power. VML‐injured limbs had 25% less peak‐isometric torque and 31% less peak‐isokinetic power compared to those of Uninjured‐20 mice (p