Three-dimensional distribution of trabecular bone density and cortical thickness in the distal humerus

One major barrier to osteosynthesis in distal humeral fractures is poor bone quality. This study was an attempt to measure the bone quality in the distal humerus.We measured the distribution of total bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular BMD (tBMD), and cortical thickness (CTh) in the distal humerus using peripheral quantitive computed tomography. Four slices in the infracondylar, supracondylar, and distal disphyseal regions of 25 human cadaver humeri were investigated.Total BMD decreased continuously from the distal diaphysis to the trochlea. Within the infracondylar region, the capitellum was the region of lowest tBMD and CTh (P.001). Measurements in anterior regions were higher than in …