Dual-photon absorptiometry of the proximal tibia.

Dual-photon absorptiometric bone-mineral assay, penetration tests, and axial compression tests of the proximal tibial epiphyses were carried out in 18 human cadaver knees. The reproducibility of bone mineral assay was within +/- 12% (95% tolerance limits). Linear regression analysis with bone-mineral content as the independent variable showed a good correlation to the ultimate force obtained from the compression tests on the medial (r = 0.81) and the lateral (r = 0.90) condyles. The correlation between bone mineral content and an average of three condylar penetration tests was somewhat weaker (medical condyle: r = 0.65, lateral condyle: r = 0.62). It is concluded that dual-photon absorptiometric bone-mineral assay may be a suitable noninvasive alternative to bone-strength measurement and thus suitable for monitoring the changes in tibial condylar bone during follow-up studies.