Osteoporosis Detection by Impulse Response Technique

Abstract: Osteoporosis in women is increasingly being recognized as an important health issue. The dynamic characteristics of bone which provides quantitative information concerning the mechanical properties of the bone along with measurement of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) can help in the early detection and better diagnosis of osteoporosis. In this paper quantitative assessment of osteoporosis is carried out by impulse response test on the tibial bone. The stress waves are generated in the tibial bone by the impact of impulse force hammer are monitored by accelerometers, and are analyzed in the frequency domain. The natural frequency of stress wave signal is significantly decreased in osteopenia and osteoporosis subjects indicating decrease in mechanical strength of the bone and bone mineral mass.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Natural frequency, Tibial bone, Impulse response