Collapse Load Prediction of Human Femur by Computed Tomography Based Limit Analysis

limit analysis numerical procedure combined with Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is proposed to predict the collapse load of the human proximal femur. The procedure involves an accurate reconstruction of the femur geometry and a precise definition of the femur tissue strengths starting from CT images and the detected bone density using empirical relationships. A sensitivity analysis on the modeling choices is performed. The predictive capabilities of the proposed procedure are validated by comparing the numerical results with experimental findings from a real femur tested to collapse. Although the procedure is applied here to a single specimen and thus requires further refinement and investigation, the obtained results show that the method is promising and effective for providing valuable, clinically relevant information about femur fracture risk.