S. Aguado-Henche; C. Clemente de Arriba & J. Carrascosa-Sánchez

Summary

This study describes the distribution of the normal bone mass in the mature human ulna, as knowledge of distribution may provide information to orthopaedic surgeons for the treatment of such fractures while advancing the understanding of the responses of osteosynthesis elements during bone repair. A random sample of 41 dry ulnas was studied with a DXA system using a Norland XR-26 densitometer. Two projections were performed, lateral and antero-posterior. In both projections five regions of interest (ROI) were selected: proximal (ROI 1), proximal-intermediate (ROI 2), intermediate (ROI 3), distal-intermediate (ROI 4) and distal (ROI 5). All statistical calculations were performed using Stat graphics Plus (version 5.1) and SPSS (version 15.0). Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were calculated. Paired data were analysed using parametric Student t-Test to compare BMD and BMC in every region in both projections. DXA show that the higher BMD is in the proximal-intermediate region (ROI 2). The higher BMC is found in the proximal region (ROI 1). Lower BMD and BMC are found in the distal region (ROI 5). The total BMD shows significant statistical differences (p0.001), which indicates the heterogeneous nature of the distribution of bone mass in the studied bone. Bone densitometry, measured by the DXA technique, is useful for assessing trabecular architecture of the human ulna.

KEY WORDS: Densitometry; Ulna; Bone mineral density; Bone mineral content; Elbow.

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