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The initial phase of fracture healing is specifically sensitive to mechanical conditions
Author(s) -
Klein Petra,
Schell Hanna,
Streitparth Florian,
Heller Markus,
Kassi JeanPierre,
Kandziora Frank,
Bragulla Hermann,
Haas Norbert P.,
Duda Georg N.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-0266(02)00259-0
Subject(s) - bone healing , callus , external fixator , osteosynthesis , biomechanics , orthodontics , fracture (geology) , materials science , medicine , surgery , anatomy , composite material , biology , genetics
Interfragmentary movements affect the quality and quantity of callus formation. The mounting plane of monolateral external fixators may give direction to those movements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of the fixator mounting plane on the process of fracture healing. Identically configured fixators were mounted either medially or anteromedially on the tibiae of sheep. Interfragmentary movements and ground reaction forces were evaluated in vivo during a nine week period. Histomorphological and biomechanical parameters described the bone healing processes. Changing only the mounting plane led to a modification of interfragmentary movements in the initial healing phase. The difference in interfragmentary movements between the groups was only significant during the first post‐operative period. However, these initial differences in mechanical conditions influenced callus tissue formation significantly. The group with the anteromedially mounted fixator, initially showing significantly more interfragmentary movements, ended up with a significantly smaller callus diameter and a significantly higher callus stiffness as a result of advanced fracture healing. This demonstrates that the initial phase of healing is sensitive to mechanical conditions and influences the course of healing. Therefore, initial mechanical stability of an osteosynthesis should be considered an important factor in clinical fracture treatment. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.