Age-related deterioration in trabecular bone mechanical properties at material level: Nanoindentation study of the femoral neck in women by using AFM

► We analyzed trabeculae from the femoral neck of young and elderly women. ► AFM-nanoindentation was used for characterization of bone mineralized matrix. ► Young and elderly female trabeculae differ at the material level. ► Elderly trabeculae are composed of less-elastic material (high elastic modulus). ► There is strong correlation between bone matrix modulus and size of minerals.