Neuro-musculoskeletal Flexible Multibody Simulation Yields a Framework for Efficient Bone Failure Risk Assessment

Fragility fractures are a major socioeconomic problem. A non-invasive, computationally-efficient method for the identification of fracture risk scenarios under the representation of neuro-musculoskeletal dynamics does not exist. We introduce a computational workflow that integrates modally-reduced, quantitative CT-based finite-element models into neuro-musculoskeletal flexible multibody simulation (NfMBS) for early bone fracture risk assessment. Our workflow quantifies the bone strength via the osteogenic stresses and strains that arise due to the physiological-like loading of the bone under the representation of patient-specific neuro-musculoskeletal dynamics. This allows for non-invasive, computationally-efficient dynamic analysis over the enormous parameter space of fracture risk scenarios, while requiring only sparse clinical data. Experimental validation on a fresh human femur specimen together with femur strength computations that were consistent with literature findings provide confidence in the workflow: The simulation of an entire squat took only 38 s CPU-time. Owing to the loss (16% cortical, 33% trabecular) of bone mineral density (BMD), the strain measure that is associated with bone fracture increased by 31.4%; and yielded an elevated risk of a femoral hip fracture. Our novel workflow could offer clinicians with decision-making guidance by enabling the first combined in-silico analysis tool using NfMBS and BMD measurements for optimized bone fracture risk assessment.