Structural and Biomechanical Basis of Sexual Dimorphism in Femoral Neck Fragility Has Its Origins in Growth and Aging

Abstract

The structural basis for sex differences in femoral neck (FN) fragility was studied in 1196 subjects and 307 patients with hip fracture. The absolute and relative patterns of modeling and remodeling on the periosteal and endocortical envelopes during growth and aging produce changes in FN geometry and structure that results in FN fragility in both sexes and sexual dimorphism in hip fracture risk in old age. Introduction: Femoral neck (FN) fragility in old age is usually attributed to age-related bone loss, while the sex differences in hip fracture rate are attributed to less bone loss in men than in women. The purpose of this study was to define the structural and biomechanical basis underly..