Stress shielding
Stress Shielding
Stress shielding (/strɛs ʃiːldɪŋ/) is a phenomenon that occurs in the biomechanics field, particularly in orthopedics and biomaterials.
Etymology
The term "stress shielding" is derived from the words "stress", which refers to the internal resistance of a material to deformation, and "shielding", which means protecting from damage or harm. In the context of biomechanics, stress shielding refers to the reduction or prevention of stress in bone tissue due to the presence of an orthopedic implant.
Definition
Stress shielding is a biological phenomenon that occurs when a rigid implant is placed in bone. The implant, being stiffer than the bone, takes most of the load during physical activity. This results in a decrease in the stress experienced by the bone, leading to bone resorption and a decrease in bone density. This is because bone tissue is a biological material that responds to the mechanical stresses it experiences. When these stresses are reduced, the bone responds by reducing its mass.
Related Terms
- Bone Resorption: The process by which osteoclasts break down bone and release the minerals, resulting in a transfer of calcium from bone fluid to the blood.
- Orthopedic Implant: A medical device manufactured to replace a missing joint or bone or to support a damaged bone.
- Biomechanics: The study of the structure and function of biological systems such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells by means of the methods of mechanics.
- Biomaterials: Any substance that has been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stress shielding
- Wikipedia's article - Stress shielding
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