We performed time-lapsed synchrotron micro-CT imaging of entire human femoral epiphyses under incremental loadup to fracture, at a pixel size of 30 μm. Fractures were experimentally obtained in 5-6 load increments as predicted by finite element analysis. The 2D and 3D micro-CT images showed first deformation, then fracturing of the trabeculae and cortex, with clinically relevant fracture patterns