The Effect of Osteoporosis Treatments on Fatigue Properties of Cortical Bone Tissue.

Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed for treatment of osteoporosis. Long-term use of bisphosphonates has been correlated to atypical femoral fractures (AFF). AFFs arise from fatigue damage to bone tissue that cannot be repaired due to pharmacologic treatments.

Nanoscale examination of microdamage in sheep cortical bone using synchrotron radiation transmission x-ray microscopy.

Microdamage occurs in bone through repeated and excessive loading. Accumulation of microdamage weakens bone, leading to a loss of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation in the tissue. Imaging techniques used to examine microdamage have typically been limited to the microscale.