Adaptive bone remodeling in cyberspace : tricks and treats

The issue is what we have learned about mechanical control of cancellous bone architecture from finite element models of bone remodeIing (HART and FRmoN, 1997). It is argued here that these analytical tools have not taught us anything about bone, but much about our conception of it Paradigms about bone remodeling are exciting food for thought and discussion. but they are inherently vague. Representing our theories in regulatory models forces us to think about the potential physiological .control mechanisms and specify their parameters in a strict sense. In simulation studies we can check whether the paradigms are viable propositions. When this is the case, exciting scientific questions can be specified.