Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bone Remodeling

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...

Bone Disorders

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...

Fractures: Bone Repair

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Biomechanical Stability of Tibia Plateau Fracture Treatment: Conventional vs. Finite Element-Based Preoperative Planning.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·2026

Same author

Can FEM-based preoperative planning for complex tibial plateau fractures improve surgical skills? A cadaver study.

Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research·2026

Same author

Does undersizing of the tibial component in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty increase the risk of fracture? A biomechanical study.

Knee surgery & related research·2025

Same author

High agreement of three-dimensional lower limb alignment analysis between a novel cone-beam CT and multislice CT.

Journal of experimental orthopaedics·2025

Same author

Simulated gastrocnemius traction alters interfragmentary motion in Hoffa fracture fixation.

European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society·2025

Same author

Influence of fracture morphology and working length on shear motion and construct stiffness in osteosynthesis constructs.

European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

Published on: February 27, 2018

Increased cortical remodeling after osteotomy causes posttraumatic osteopenia.

Peter Augat¹, Lutz Claes

¹Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. biomechanik@bgu-murnau.de

|July 1, 2008

Summary

Post-fracture bone loss in the affected limb is linked to increased bone remodeling. This elevated activity, indicated by more active osteons, may lead to healing complications like refracture.

More Related Videos

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur

Published on: October 23, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

Published on: February 27, 2018

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur

An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol for Distraction Osteogenesis in a Rat Model Leading to a Functional Regenerated Femur

Published on: October 23, 2017

Area of Science:

Orthopedics
Bone Biology
Surgical Research

Background:

Fractures often lead to significant bone mineral loss in the affected limb.
Understanding cortical bone changes post-fracture is crucial for addressing healing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze changes in cortical bone mineral density and remodeling adjacent to a fracture site.
To investigate the relationship between bone remodeling and bone mineral loss after osteotomy.

Main Methods:

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD).
Histomorphometry quantified cortical bone remodeling activity around an experimental osteotomy in sheep metatarsals.

Main Results:

A statistically significant 16% reduction in apparent BMD (app.BMD) was observed within 9 weeks post-surgery.
Bone remodeling activity increased over six-fold, correlating with BMD reduction (R=-0.71, P<0.01).
Remodeling activity peaked by week 6 and remained elevated through week 9.

Conclusions:

Post-traumatic bone mineral loss is associated with increased cortical bone remodeling, evidenced by a higher number of active osteons.
Load shielding from osteosynthesis materials and local bone mineral resorption are probable causes for increased remodeling.
This bone loss may contribute to complications such as refracture, implant fixation failure, and loosening.