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The role of osteocytes and bone microstructure in preventing osteoporotic fractures

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Abstract

The skeleton alters its geometry following trauma, the introduction of artificial defects and of fatigue-induced microcracks. The precise mechanism by which the skeleton adapts remains unclear. Microcracks might directly affect the cell by damaging the osteocyte cell network or causing apoptosis. Bone microstructure may play an important role in these processes by diverting and arresting propagating microcracks and so prevent fracture failure. This paper discusses the effects of microstructure on propagating cracks, how microdamage may act as a stimulus for bone adaptation and its potential effects on bone biochemistry.

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Acknowledgement

This work was financially supported through the EMBARK Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Irish Research Council for Science.

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  1. Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Jan G. Hazenberg & T. Clive Lee

  2. Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    David Taylor & T. Clive Lee

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  1. Jan G. Hazenberg
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  2. David Taylor
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Correspondence to Jan G. Hazenberg.

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Hazenberg, J.G., Taylor, D. & Lee, T.C. The role of osteocytes and bone microstructure in preventing osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporos Int 18, 1–8 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-006-0222-y

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