Can Additional Experimental Data in Humans Verify the Finite Element- Based Bone Remodeling Algorithm?

A finite element-based bone remodeling study in human was conducted in the lumbar spine. This was done to examine the validity of the bone remodeling algorithm by comparing to experimental data. A non-linear 3-D finite element model of the normal ligamentous lumbar spine of L3 to L5 was generated. Two different material configurations were assigned to the finite element model. Two analyses with the non-site specific iterative bone remodeling algorithm were conducted with strain energy density as remodeling signal. The experimental data was bone mineral content measurements in the lumbar spine of 87 test subjects. The finite element-based bone remodeling data were compared to the experimental bone mineral content data. For both bone remodeling analyses there were a statistical significant difference between the bone remodeling data and experimental data for 6 out of 8 regions of interest. The bone remodeling data showed too small agreement to confirm the validity of the bone remodeling algorithm.