Wolff's law

[2][3] The internal architecture of the trabeculae undergoes adaptive changes, followed by secondary changes to the external cortical portion of the bone,[4] perhaps becoming thicker as a result.

[5] This reduction in bone density (osteopenia) is known as stress shielding and can occur as a result of a hip replacement (or other prosthesis).

[6] Mechanotransduction leading to bone remodeling involves the steps of mechanocoupling, biochemical coupling, signal transmission, and cell response.

[7] The specific effects on bone structure depend on the duration, magnitude, and rate of loading, and it has been found that only cyclic loading can induce bone formation.

[8] Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone and are also the most sensitive to such fluid flow caused by mechanical loading.