Gestalt

Bone plays a vital role in the development of osteoarthritis. Each individual thickness-mapped 3d isosurface of the proximal femur has been created from clinical computed tomography (CT) imaging data with a contour thickness mapping programme. This software measures cortical bone thickness well below the inherent resolution of clinical CT by applying a novel deblurring technique. Isosurfaces are analysed against each other and a standardised femur (represented by the Gestalt) to look for significant patterns in cortical bone thickness and shape that could identify individuals at risk of developing hip osteoarthritis as well as target further biomolecular and genetic analysis of bone in this disabling condition.