Did you know that astronauts lose 1 to 2 % bone density per month and that professional tennis players have a significantly higher bone density in the serving arm? This happens because the cells in the bone can sense applied loads and remodel bone to make it stronger where needed! In diseases such as osteoporosis or diabetes, this ability to positively adapt to daily loading doesn’t work any more, and bones are more likely to break.

In this guided tour, we will ask you to help us rescue the bone health of two patients: Matthias has diabetes and Charles has osteoporosis, and both of them are at risk of breaking their arm. You will simulate the effect of exercise as well as various medical treatments on 3D reconstructions of their bone microstructure, generated from high-resolution computed tomography data. During the 1 hour interactive tour, you will have a chance to explore the impact of diabetes and osteoporosis on bone health, see the effects of exercise on bone strength and recommend a treatment and an exercise regimen for our patients.

Whoever finds the best treatment and exercise regime that maximizes patient bone density will win a bone biomechanics prize!

Did you know that astronauts lose 1 to 2 % bone density per month and that professional tennis players have a significantly higher bone density in the serving arm? This happens because the cells in the bone can sense applied loads and remodel bone to make it stronger where needed! In diseases such as osteoporosis or diabetes, this ability to positively adapt to daily loading doesn’t work any more, and bones are more likely to break.

In this guided tour, we will ask you to help us rescue the bone health of two patients: Matthias has diabetes and Charles has osteoporosis, and both of them are at risk of breaking their arm. You will simulate the effect of exercise as well as various medical treatments on 3D reconstructions of their bone microstructure, generated from high-resolution computed tomography data. During the 1 hour interactive tour, you will have a chance to explore the impact of diabetes and osteoporosis on bone health, see the effects of exercise on bone strength and recommend a treatment and an exercise regimen for our patients.

Whoever finds the best treatment and exercise regime that maximizes patient bone density will win a bone biomechanics prize!