Effects of Magnesium on Mechanical Properties of Human Bone

Abstract

The human bone is multiphase material consisting of collagenous matrix interspread with mineral crystals. Magnesium participates in the normal formation and remodelling of bone. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with a number of clinical disorders including osteoporosis. The present investigation focuses on quantitative estimation of magnesium, an inorganic constituent of bone and determination of mechanical strength associated with magnesium namely tensile, compression, bending, torsion and shear loads. In particular, this investigation shows that bending strength in human bone is highly dependent on magnesium content of the bone. A correlation is developed to establish relationship between mechanical strength and magnesium composition. The study shows that quantity of magnesium present in the bone and ageing process are interdependent and are highly correlated.