We tried to determine whether mineral-equivalent measurements that were
obtained using computed tomography could be used to predict the mechanical
properties of vertebral trabecular bone. Vertebral bodies that had been
obtained during routine autopsy were evaluated by computed tomography. The
mechanical properties of the vertebral trabecular bone were determined by
subjecting cylindrical specimens to simple compression until failure
occurred. The ultimate strength and elastic modulus were determined from
load time curves, using constant displacement rate loading. Atomic
absorption spectrophotometry was used to determine the weight per cent
calcium of each specimen, and quantitative light microscopy was used to
determine area fraction bone. Significant positive correlations were found
between the observed mechanical properties of the trabecular bone and the
equivalent mineral density as measured by computed tomography. Compressive
strength (r = 0.720), elastic modulus (r = 0.574), trabecular calcium
density (r = 0.780), and area fraction bone (r = 0.579) were all correlated
with the equivalent mineral density.