Bone Quality and Bone Fractures

Overview

Prevention of fractures brings about the effort to eliminate their potential causes. Osteoporosis syndrome belongsto the most frequent causes of the bone fractures. The use of densitometric methods may bring an overestimation ofthe bone quantity. Because of the independent contribution to mechanical resistance, the bone quality needs to bealso evaluated. Qualitative changes of the bone can occur at the level of the bone as an organ, or at levels of itscomponents - cortex, spongiosis and bone matrix. Bone quality is influenced mainly genetically; however, it candeteriorate also with age or in some diseases. Measurement of the bone quality is not yet practically accessible. Someultrasonographic methods have a character of qualitative assessment. Osteoporosis can worsen the bone quality atdifferent levels.

Key words:
bone, bone quality, bone quantity, trabecular bone, cortical bone.