Morphology of the cement line in human bone and its relationship to bone strength

The length of the osteonal cement (reversal) line per unit area (μm/μm²) in human cadaveric tibias was quantified and correlated with overall tibial mechanical properties. In addition, the relationship between cement line quantity and gender, age, and location (left versus right limbs) was also evaluated. The study has shown that the cement line length per bone area within the anterior tibial quadrant to be significantly greater (p<0.05) than the posterior, medial and lateral quadrants, suggesting an increased degree of remodeling within that region. The results did reveal a greater quantity (p<0.05) in males than in females. The data additionally reveal a direct proportional relationship between cement line length per area and the maximum load (kN) necessary to completely fracture the bone. These quantitative results reinforce existing research an cement line involvement in bone strength