The effects of diabetes mellitus on the material properties of human metatarsal bones.

Fleischli, J G; Laughlin, T J; Lavery, L A; Shah, B; Lanctot, D; Agrawal, C M; Athanasiou, K · J Foot Ankle Surg · 1998

biomechanical · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

While some investigations have focused on the effect of diabetes on the material properties of connective tissue in both the human and animal model, no study to date has investigated the effects of the disease process on human metatarsal bones. This investigation compared the material properties of human metatarsal bones from young diabetic donors (51.3 +/- 8 years) and older nondiabetic donors (72.3 +/- 10 years). The results demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups. This would seem to suggest that the effects of aging are comparable to the effects of diabetes on the structural integrity of human metatarsal bones.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy