Pathophysiology of immobilization osteoporosis. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The reduction of gravity-related forces on the skeleton creates a type of osteoporosis that is unique because its severity is dependent on the mechanical stress bearing function of the skeleton as well as the length of time that the forces are absent or reduced. Bones that bear weight under normal conditions are more affected than bones that normally do not bear weight. The cytokine environment and the cells in the affected bones are altered in time so that stem cells produce fewer new cells and the differentiated cells tend to be less active. These alterations in the local environment of the affected parts appear to resemble those of age- and disease-associated systemic forms of osteoporosis. The osteoporosis produced as a result of the loss of normal activity however, appears to be at least partially reversible through remobilization, strenuous exercise, and--possibly in the future--cytokine therapy.

publication date

  • October 1, 1995

Research

keywords

  • Bone Demineralization, Pathologic
  • Immobilization
  • Osteoporosis

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0028848094

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/00001433-199510000-00008

PubMed ID

  • 11541523

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 6

issue

  • 5