Simulated evolution of the vertebral body based on basic multicellular unit activities.

A numerical model based on the theory of bone remodeling is proposed to predict the evolution of trabecular bone architecture within the vertebral body and to investigate the process of degeneration in vertebral bone. In this study, particular attention is paid on the description of microstructure changes during the aging process. To take into account the effect of basic multicellular units (BMUs), a set of computational algorithms has been developed. It is assumed that BMU activation probability depends on the state of damaged bone tissue (damage accumulation, ω), which is evaluated according to previous research concerning bone fatigue damage. Combining these algorithms with the finite-element method (FEM), the microstructure of vertebral bone has been predicted for up to 8 simulated years. Moreover, biomechanical material properties have been monitored to investigate the changes of vertebral bone with age. This study shows that the simulation based on BMU activities has the potential to define and predict the morphological evolution of the vertebral body. It can be concluded that the novel algorithms incorporating the coupled effects of both adaptive remodeling and microdamage remodeling could be utilized to gain greater insight into the mechanism of bone loss in the elderly population.