Tibial-fibular morphology: variation, sexual dimorphism, and mechanical implications

Bruce, Olivia Leigh

Tibial-fibular morphology: variation, sexual dimorphism, and mechanical implications

dc.contributor.advisor	Edwards, William Brent
dc.contributor.author	Bruce, Olivia Leigh
dc.contributor.committeemember	Boyd, Steven Kyle
dc.contributor.committeemember	Kuo, Arthur
dc.contributor.committeemember	Roach, Koren Elaine
dc.contributor.committeemember	Jordan, Matthew James
dc.contributor.committeemember	Lenz, Amy Lorraine
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-05-12T16:22:59Z
dc.date.available	2023-05-12T16:22:59Z
dc.date.issued	2023-05-01
dc.description.abstract	Stress fractures are common injuries among runners and military personnel associated with the mechanical fatigue of load-bearing bone. The tibia is the most frequently fractured site and females are at much greater risk than males. Bone geometry and density are hypothesized risk factors for stress fracture and are thought to contribute to the disparity in risk between sexes via their influence on bone strain magnitude which is strongly related to the rate of mechanical fatigue. However, covariation between these two complex factors and their influence on the strain environment of the tibia are not well characterised. The overarching goal of this thesis was to develop a more nuanced understanding of the mechanical implications of tibial-fibular geometry and density variations present in young active adults. A series of studies were performed utilizing a combination of advanced medical imaging, statistical approaches, gait data, and the finite element method to characterise and quantify covariations in whole-bone tibial-fibular geometry and density distributions and their influence on bone strain. Transverse diaphyseal geometry and sagittal curvature were identified as key features that likely influence stress fracture risk, demonstrating substantial effects on finite element-predicted bone strain. Additionally, the average female illustrated a narrower tibia which resulted in elevated bone strain when compared to the average male, suggesting that bone geometry likely contributes to the disparity in stress fracture risk between sexes. As we work towards improving predictive models and developing effective screening tools for stress fracture risk, these findings provide insights into key features of bone geometry and density that will need to be accurately characterised. Landmark- and anthropometric-based predictions of tibial-fibular geometry and density were not sufficiently accurate, indicating that some level of advanced medical imaging data will be necessary to generate personalised models or characterise geometry and density features associated with stress fracture risk.
dc.identifier.citation	Bruce, O. L. (2023). Tibial-fibular morphology: variation, sexual dimorphism, and mechanical implications (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/1880/116529
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/dspace/41372
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	statistical shape model
dc.subject	statistical appearance model
dc.subject	finite element
dc.subject	musculoskeletal
dc.subject	stress fracture
dc.subject	running
dc.subject.classification	Engineering--Biomedical
dc.title	Tibial-fibular morphology: variation, sexual dimorphism, and mechanical implications
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Engineering – Biomedical
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I require a thesis withhold – I need to delay the release of my thesis due to a patent application, and other reasons outlined in the link above. I have/will need to submit a thesis withhold application.