The micro-hardness distribution in human metatarsal bones
Yin Bing, Wang Jiangchao, Li Sheng, Zhang Xiaojuan, Liu Guobin, Liu Yake, Wu Weiwei, Fu Lei, Zhang Yingze.
Department of Orthopedic, the Third Affiliated Hospital to Hebei Medical University; Orthopaedic Research Institution of Hebei Province; Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050051, China
Abstract：Objective To explore the distribution of microhardness of human metatarsal bones.Methods Three fresh frozen bodies with age ＞40 years old, good health and no chronic history were selected. The soft tissues were removed from the first to fifth metatarsal. These metatarsal bones were dissected and cut perpendicular to the long axis in metatarsal base, metatarsal shaft, and metatarsal head with a low-speed saw and then the bones were made into several 3 mm thick slices and polished by sandpaper. A microindenterfitted with a Vickers indenter point was used to measure the Vickers hardness in the plantar, dorsal, medial and lateral site of bone. The hardness value of the cancellous bone was measured in metatarsal base and head, and the hardness value of the cortical bone was measured in metatarsal shaft. The load was measured by 50 g force for 50 s and maintained for 12 s. Five effective region values were selected in the same area, and the average value of all the effective values was taken as the hardness value of the part.Results Totally, 45 specimens and 900 indentations at different bones and anatomic sites were involved in our reasearch. The hardness distribution of metatarsal bones showed generally same trend among the donors. The total hardness of metatarsals was (36.35±7.43) HV. Among all metatarsal bones, the third metatarsal bone had the largest hardness [(38.95±9.01)HV], and the metatarsal shaft was harder than metatarsal base[(33.25±6.64)HV] and head[(34.86±6.68)HV] .The difference was significant(F=111.831, P＜0.01). There was no significant difference in the hardness of plantar site [(36.11±7.05)HV], dorsal site [(36.32±7.49)HV], medial site [(36.69±7.79)HV] and lateral site[(36.28±7.42)HV](F=0.246, P＞0.05).Conclusions This study reports for the first time the distribution of microhardness of human metatarsal bone. The difference in bone hardness can benefit the accurate choice of location of plates, the density and direction of screws in the internal fixation of fracture, and obtain a more scientific and reasonable fixation. The research results can also lay a theoretical foundation and data support for the design of bone plates, screws and artificial bones whose hardness and elastic modulus are closer to human physiological characteristics.
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Yin Bing, Wang Jiangchao, Li Sheng, Zhang Xiaojuan, Liu Guobin, Liu Yake, Wu Weiwei, Fu Lei, Zhang Yingze.. The micro-hardness distribution in human metatarsal bones. Chinese Journal of Anatomy and Clinics, 2018, 23(6): 465-468.
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