The aim of the study was to assess mechanical properties of human cancellous bone in vitro. Six hundred cubic specimens of cancellous bone were obtained from the tibia, femur, patella, lumbar spine and humerus of eight subjects. The elastic properties were assessed using an ultrasonic transmission technique developed and validated by Ashman (1). The results showed that differences exist between subjects significantly (p<0.05) and that the mechanical properties vary along the length and the periphery (about a factor 3 to 5). Cancellous bone should be considered heterogeneous and as orthotropic materials exhibiting degrees of anisotropy varying from 2 to 4. Linear and power fit elationships for cancellous bone were found approximately equal. Powers vary from 1.3 to 1.7 for axial modulus versus density and 1.3 and 2.3 for strength versus density.

Finally, these results suggest the use of appropriate mechanical properties upon the type of bone for finite element analysis.