Vertebrae cancellous bone strength measurements by an osteopenetrometer

The penetration strength of trabecular bone tissue of human lumbar vertebrae was determined in vitro by the osteopenetrometer. The tests were performed in the frontal, middle, and back third of the vertebra body lateral side, in the upper and lower terminal plates, and in the processus spinosus in three vertebrae of the age group 1 (19-25 years), four vertebrae of the group 2 (40-60 years), and four of the group 3 (61-75 years). The data obtained show that the penetration of strength of the human lumbar vertebrae diminishes with age nonuniformly: the most expressed decrease appears in the frontal and middle parts of the lateral side and in the processus spinosus, but very little change appears under the terminal plates. The significant correlation between the penetration strength in the processus spinosus and in the vertebrae body could be useful for diagnostics of the vertebra state in vivo. According to the measured penetration strength in the processus spinosus, it is possible to indirectly estimate its value in the vertebra body.