van der Meulen M C
Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, USA.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 1997;40:17-23.
The cross-sectional growth and development of the long bone diaphysis is strongly influenced by in vivo mechanical loading. An analytical approach was developed to model these mechanobiologic influences. First, human growth under normal loading conditions was modeled. Our model predictions were validated by comparison to human data obtained during adolescence. Next, skeletal adaptation during growth under altered loading conditions was examined using an animal model. Rat hindlimb suspension experiments were performed and femoral adaptation to reduced loading during growth was measured and compared to normal controls. Then our model predictions of adaptation during growth were compared directly to our experimental data.
