Finite Element analysis can be used to understand how a bone responded to forces being applied to it during daily activities and how strain would be developed as the individual walked.
In order to do so, it is necessary to define material properties for the model of the bone. Such properties can be obtained directly from the CT scan data, using a mathematical formula which relates the density of the bone to another parameter controlling its deformation. Then a load must be applied, which depends on both the body weight and muscle forces.
The results of the analysis typically indicate in blue the regions deforming less and in red the regions deforming more.
