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Bone Microindentation

Meaning

Bone microindentation is a specialized clinical technique used to directly assess the mechanical properties of bone tissue at a localized, microscopic level, moving beyond traditional bone mineral density measurements. This procedure provides a tangible metric of bone material quality, often referred to as bone hardness or resistance to fracture initiation. In endocrinology, this measurement is crucial because hormonal imbalances, particularly those involving estrogen, parathyroid hormone, and Vitamin D, can significantly compromise bone quality even if density remains ostensibly acceptable. It offers a more complete picture of skeletal health and fracture risk.