Novel technique for long term attachment of strain gauges to living bone for in-vivo bone strain measurement

Bone changes noted adjacent to well fixed stiff artificial metal joints has been attributed to changes in stress distribution in the vicinity of these implants. Analytical models based on beam theory and more recently on finite element analysis have been used to assess the changes in the stress distributions. The assumptions required to carry out these calculations include an accurate knowledge of the load magnitudes and directions due to body weight and muscle action. It is argued that in vivo strain gauging can be used to accurately assess these parameters in vivo. Pertinent R&D activities carried out recently are reported.