Influence of formalin fixation on the biomechanical properties of human diaphyseal bone
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Klaus J. Burkhart
Abstract
Owing to the lack of fresh human bones, formalin-fixed specimens are frequently used in biomechanical testing. However, formalin fixation is assumed to affect the biomechanical properties of bone. The aim of this study was to compare axial and torsional stiffness and bone mineral density in fresh and embalmed human bones. The subtrochanteric regions of 12 pairs of fresh human femora were randomised into two groups for paired comparison. After bone mineral density measurement, one group was preserved in 4% formalin. After 6 weeks, bone mineral density was remeasured and each specimen underwent axial and torsional loading. The formalin group showed significant higher stiffness values for torsional and axial loads than the fresh group. Axial stiffness increased by 14.1%, whereas torsional stiffness increased by 14.3%. These differences were not reflected in bone mineral density values. Formalin fixation significantly influences the stiffness of human cadaveric bones. Fresh bones represent the in vivo conditions better than formalin fixed bones.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Guest editorial
- Aspects of oral and dental reconstitution with dental implants and membranes
- Review
- Clinical, biomechanical and biological aspects of immediately loaded dental implants: a critical review of the literature
- Research articles
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- Original articles
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- Influence of formalin fixation on the biomechanical properties of human diaphyseal bone
- Asynchronous steady-state visual evoked potential based BCI control of a 2-DoF artificial upper limb
