The Simulation of Bone Loss Due to Weightlessness and Bone Recovery Using Finite Element Method

This study simulated weightlessness-induced bone loss in femur following short- (one month), medium- (three months) and long-term (six months) of spaceflight; as well as the bone recovery after the gravity of ground retrieved. The simulation results show that the weightlessness can significantly decrease the bone amount in load-bearing area in proximal femur, while has less impact on non-load-bearing areas. The bone amount couldn´t fully recover to its initial value after the gravity of ground retrieves. This pilot study of bone remodeling simulation helps develop the countermeasure to retain bone mass in the future.