An abnormal remodelling process of bones can lead to various bone disorders, such as
osteoporosis, making them prone to fracture. Simulations of load-induced remodelling
of trabecular bone were used to investigate its response to mechanical signal. However,
the role of mechanostat in trabecular-bone remodelling has not yet been investigated in
simulations underpinned by a longitudinal in-vivo study in humans.
In this work, a finite-element model based on a 6-month longitudinal in-vivo HR-pQCT
study was developed and validated to investigate the effect of mechanical stimuli on
bone remodelling. The simulated changes in microstructural parameters and density of
trabecular bone were compared with respective experimental results. A maximum
principal strain (MPS) and a maximum principal strain gradient (∇MPS) were used as
mechanical signals to drive a five-stage mechanostat remodelling model, including
additional over-strain and damage stages. It was found that the density distribution
varied with the studied mechanical signals, along with decreasing with time levels of
bone volume fraction BV/TV, trabecular thickness Tb.Th and bone surface area Tb.BS
as well as increased trabecular separation Tb.Sp. Among these parameters, BV/TV and
Tb.Th together with the bone remodelling parameters from the MPS model
demonstrated a significant correlation with the experimental data. The developed model
provides a good foundation for further development and investigation of the
relationships between mechanical loading and human bone microarchitecture
