Figure 2.

Summary of the results of one ‘first-generation'34 and two ‘second-generation'43,44 femoroplasty studies. The increase in fracture load (a) and energy (b) depends on the properties of the contralateral non-augmented (control) femur, with weaker bones experiencing larger strengthening. Fracture risk of the control femora, estimated using the approximated load-to-strength ratio versus strength relationships published by Keaveny & Bouxsein23 (c), or by Roberts et al.29 (d), is shown as broken black lines. From this ratio, the magnitude of the accidental load can be estimated and used to compute the approximate load-to-strength ratio of the contralateral augmented bone (data points). A value larger than 1.0 indicates that strengthening was not sufficient and the augmented bone would probably still fracture in a low-energy sideways fall accident. Note that Heini et al. used quasi-static loading, the dynamic strength values are expected to be higher.