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Millions of Canadians, mostly elderly, are affected by osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by weakened bone. Osteoporosis sufferers are particularly susceptible to fracture as a result of falling. Such fractures frequently cause pain and disability, and can lead to death. Dr. James Johnston is developing new ways to noninvasively estimate bone strength, or the bone’s ability to resist fracture, among individuals with osteoporosis.

As wrist fractures are the most common type of osteoporotic fractures, and are predictors of other types of fractures in areas such as the hip or spine, Dr. Johnston is focusing on new advanced imaging techniques, synchrotron-based imaging methods, and computer models capable of estimating wrist bone strength under impact loads experienced during falling on the outstretched hand. He is validating his estimates of bone strength using a mechanical testing scenario that simulates falling.

The developments associated with this research are intended by Dr. Johnston to improve our fundamental understanding of mechanical factors underpinning osteoporotic bone strength and fracture, create new methods for early osteoporotic disease detection, and provide new tools for developing preventative measures and treatment methods for both osteoporosis and wrist fracture.

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