Bone loss in space leads to weakened bones, raising concerns about osteoporosis on Earth. One proposed solution is to graft metal plating onto bones for reinforcement. However, this approach may lead to stress shielding, where the metal absorbs mechanical strain, causing the bone to atrophy due to lack of stimulation. Current prosthetic implants are not adaptive and do not mimic the dynamic nature of bone tissue. In terms of osteoporosis treatments, strontium ranelate has shown potential by stimulating bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and inhibiting bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts), offering a more biological approach to enhancing bone health.
