The operation is thought to be similar to the one carried out on Michael Vaughan, which involves creating micro-fractures of the bone to stimulate tissue growth and replace worn away cartilage.
Apaydin et al. (2012) examine the effects of matrix micro-fractures on effective matrix permeability of a dual-porosity medium.
To force oil out of the pores, the acoustic waves produce micro fractures in the rock that increase permeability.
Fractures can occur after minor trauma and may involve acute collapse or micro fractures without a compressive component.
Micro fractures may not be detectable on ordinary X-rays [ 58] and VIP is only visible on MRI, which explains why this has not been studied much in the past.
It has been suggested that a possible cause of Modic changes is disc degeneration causing increased shear forces on the lumbar vertebral end plates leading to micro fractures.
Micro fractures and pores are well developed.
The micro fractures are mainly interlayer fractures, grain boundary fractures and organic matter contraction fractures.
Repeated micro fractures and remodeling cause progression of the ossification in the coalition.
However, it is possible, that micro fractures occurring during surgery have healed by this time point.
Perhaps degenerated discs make the adjacent vertebrae vulnerable to trauma or repeated micro trauma, leading, in some cases, to micro fractures.
