Fig. 1. Finite element model of MC3 (adapted from Gross et al., 1992). (A) The arrow indicates the mid-diaphyseal location of the third metacarpal. (B) Finite element meshes from Gross et al. (1992). Distribution of normal strain (i), shear strain (ii) and strain energy density (iii) acting on the mid-shaft cross-section at the time of peak strain during the gait cycle. Sites of maximum strain are noted by the large arrows, sites of least strain by the small arrows or neutral axis (N-axis). ue=µ. [Reproduced from Journal of Biomechanics vol. 25, `Characterizing bone strain distributions in vivo using three triple rosette strain gages,' pp. 1081-1087, Copyright (1992), with kind permission from Elsevier Science.]