# Correlation of Bone Textural Parameters with Age in the Context of Orthopedic X-ray Studies
###### Abstract  
The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between the textural parameters observed in X-ray images of bones and the age of the individual. The study utilized a meticulous visual analysis of the images to identify significant correlations between textural features and age. Five distinct regions of interest, namely the Wing of the IIium, Neck of the Femur, Greater Trochanter, Ischium, and Shaft of the Femur, were identified on both sides of the body. Textural parameters were then measured for each of these regions. The left femoral neck showed the most noteworthy associations, with the textures generated from the histogram oriented gradients and gray-level co-occurrence matrix exhibiting the strongest correlations (\(\rho-0.52\), \(p\)-value \(4.95\times 10^{-14}\)). The main finding of the current study is that correlation of age-dependent bone structure differences in the femoral neck area is higher than in other structures of the femur. This proposed methodology has the potential to aid in the early detection of osteoporosis, which is crucial for devising treatment plans and identifying potential risks associated with bone fragility. textural analysis; X-ray; radiographs; bone age; bone aging; osteoporosis +
Footnote †: journal: Medical Imaging, 13, 6618, [[https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116618](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116618)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116618](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116618))
These structures are adjacent to collagen I, an organic material formed from protein material oriented parallel to the long axis of the bone [5]. The presence of inorganic structures embedded in collagen fibrils is responsible for the interaction with electrons emitted from the anode of the X-ray lamp [6]. Collisions with inorganic materials absorb electron energy, which is responsible for the projection of the bone, detectable by the visual system. The spatial resolution of the X-ray picture is high. For a 35 \(\times\) 43 cm cassette and a 20 \(\times\) 24 cm cassette, three and five line pairs per millimeter are reported, respectively [7]. The range of dimensions of bone structure accessible by X-ray imaging is up to 5 \(\upmu\)m, which corresponds to the bone microstructure. Osteocytes are residual, long-lived bone cells that are interconnected with each other with processes and form an important signaling network, which serves as mechanosensory units directing the response of osteoclasts-bone-depleting cells and osteoblasts-bone-forming cells [8]. Cellular action serves in constant longitudinal and transverse remodeling of the bone, where matrix turnover makes complete matrix exchange every 10 years [9]. The process of mineral exchange serves adjustments to the specific loads of the bone excreted by physical activity, but also the metabolic needs of the organism as the skeleton is a reservoir of calcium ions and takes part in the interchange of inorganic substances with the extracellular fluid (ECF) [10]. Bone turnover is precisely regulated by hormonal action throughout life, which is one of the causative factors of the differences between the skeletal systems of women and men observed from puberty to older age [11]. Pathologic changes in the regulatory process include an increase in cortical porosity, trabecular thinning, and a decrease in trabecular interconnections [12]. This normal process of bone degeneration can be markedly increased if the control of bone metabolism is dysregulated. Moreover, of importance are physical activity and dietary habits, including alcohol and calcium product consumption, but also the presence of diseases impacting hydrogen ions and calcium/phosphorus equilibrium [13; 14; 15]. It is worth noting that vitamin D and calcium deficiency may lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which promotes osteocl activation with an increase in calcium bone to extracellular fluid conversion [16]. The most important recognized regulatory factor is linked to estrogen action, which is involved in the control of bone resorption, as it inhibits osteoclast activation [17].