Evaluation of tension and compression forces in the canine femur in vivo.

In order to verify the existence of tension and compression forces from the cortical surface of canine femora, rosette strain gauges and a radio telemetry system were used to observe the animals during normal locomotion. Surface strain measured from the lateral cortical surface was consistently in tension whereas surface strain measured from the medial cortical surface was in compression. This data supported in vitro work which showed that eccentric loading of bone results in the convex side of bone being in tension and the concave side of bone being in compression.