Strain related electrical potentials recorded in vitro and in vivo.

Using wet dead specimens it was possible to show that the size and form of strain-related electrical potentials on the surface of sheep radii were related both to the amount of strain, and the strain rate, over the range of these recorded during locomotion. Using the same electrode and amplifier system in vivo changes in surface strain and surface charge were recorded from the radius of three sheep during locomotion. During slow locomotion electrical changes were negligible. At medium speed they were most variable, and profoundly influenced by small alterations in the timing and pattern of strain change. When locomotion was fast the electrical waveform reflected fairly faithfully the changes in strain on the bone surface.