ABSTRACT
Objective To study the bone disuse behavior with electric field under low load stimulation frequency. Methods A disuse model was proposed to describe the effects of mechanical and electrical stimulation on bone remodeling through the activation frequency. By establishing the finite element model of proximal femur and using the finite element method, the process of bone remodeling under low load stimulation frequency coupled with electrical stimulation was simulated, and the loss of bone density was analyzed. Results The density was significantly decreased by decreasing the frequency of daily load stimulation frequency. The electrical stimulation could resist density loss caused by the low load stimulation frequency to a certain degree, and its main influence areas were distributed in the femoral head and femoral neck. The duration of electrical stimulation significantly affected density loss of the cortical bone and cancellous bone. Conclusions The model can simulate the process of disuse caused by the decrease of daily load stimulation frequency. Meanwhile, the effect of electric field is taken into account to show the resistance to bone density loss.