Author(s)

Nicole Pace

University of Malta, Gozo, Malta.

This imaginary transformation from Sméagol to Gollum is a dramatization of the illusive repercussions of mechanical stress affecting bone. This paper presents the main ideas of mechanical stress and bone remodelling from a novel’s perspective. The object of this study is to provide evidence for new ways to explore bone’s functional adaptation to mechanical stress made through the copious interpretation and integration of new and existing literature. It tackles the underlying biology of bone cells and how they detect and react to strain stimuli. The different types of mechanical demands in daily activities are sifted through and any misconceptions found fallible in literature are refined. A personal experience of a stress fracture is reviewed to parallel the implications that lead to the incident with the findings on the link between mechanical stress and bone remodelling. Some factors regarding age, gender and ethnicity and the interplay with mechanical stress influencing bone remodelling are considered. Brief overviews of three new medical novelties in bone healing are outlined, hoping that these interventions of proper medical techniques can be a change for the better: one from Gollum to Sméagol rather than vice versa.

Mechanical Stress, Bone Remodelling Cycle, Mechanostat Model, Stress Fracture

Pace, N. (2018) From Sméagol to Gollum: Mechanical Stress and Bone Remodelling. Open Journal of Orthopedics, 8, 148-167. doi: 10.4236/ojo.2018.84018.