The relationship between in vivo strains and cortical bone remodeling.

Bone has the capacity to remodel in response to the mechanical demands which are made on it during in vivo activities. It has long been assumed that mathematical laws exist which can describe the relationship between bone stress or strain histories and the remodeling activity of the bone tissue. Despite extensive research into bone stress/remodeling relationships, these mathematical laws have not yet been formulated. Research into this important area of bone physiology will be reviewed and the current state of knowledge assessed. Promising new directions in this research area will be discussed.