Changes in Cortical Bone Mineral and Microstructure with Aging and Osteoporosis - Skeletal Aging and Osteoporosis: Biomechanics and Mechanobiology - page 112

Table 1 Studies related to age associated changes in crystallinity of bone
Author and year

Technique Changes in crystallinity with age Conclusions

Handschin and Stern (1995) [ 81 ] X-ray diffraction Along c-axis: increased until third

decade and remained constant
after that

Incorporation of carbonate ions
and reduction in chloride ions
decrease perfection and
increase crystal size

Along a-axis: No changes until
third decade but slightly
increased after that.
(0-90 years)

Holden et al. (1995) [ 83 ] X-ray diffraction Increased with age (1-97 years) Poorly crystalline state when new

bone is laid down and is
converted to more crystalline
form with age

Simmons et al. (1991) [ 140 ] X-ray diffraction No change between age groups

(20-85 years)

From formation to maturation
mineral crystals are of standard
size

Akkus et al. (2003) [ 5 ] Raman spectroscopy Increased until 40 years and

remained
constant there after
(17-73 years)

Crystal maturation occurs during a
protracted secondary
mineralization period and
remain stagnant

Yerramshetty et al. (2006) [ 160 ] Raman spectroscopy No change with age (52-82 years) Increase in crystal sizes are

compensated by increased
carbonate substitution