Effects of falls on the femoral neck of elderly people with osteoporosis

• Grant number: 21/04579-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Antônio Carlos Shimano
• Grantee: Juliana Sayuri Sakamoto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Femoral fractures, especially in the proximal region, in the elderly represent a great impact on public health and are mainly associated with falls due to osteoporosis. With the advancement of the life expectancy of the population, the number of fractures has increased. Although the knowledge on the mechanical behavior of the bone structure is not fully explored, it is noted the importance of this preliminary knowledge for the professionals working in the medical field. Thus, this study aims to the objective to evaluate the main sites and types of femur fractures, in particular, to evaluate the effects on the femoral neck, due to falls in the elderly with osteoporosis using simulations with the Finite Element Method. To this end, it will be computed tomography images of the hip and femur of the database of the Orthopedic Hospital of Specialized Medicine (HOME), Brasilia DF. For the reconstruction of the images until the simulation process the software InVesalius®, Rhinoceros®, and SimLAb® will be used. Thereby, it is hoped that the results to be achieved can provide the best understanding of the effects of loading forces due to falls, causing stress concentrations in the bones, for health professionals enabling better approaches and treatments. (AU)