Bone Biology
A 28-year-old man sustains a closed tibial shaft fracture treated with intramedullary nailing. At 3 weeks, radiographs show early callus formation. His orthopaedic surgeon explains the stages of bone healing and factors that affect union. The patient asks about the difference between how his fracture is healing compared to a fracture treated with rigid plate fixation. Regarding bone healing and fracture repair:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Secondary (indirect) bone healing occurs with relative stability (some interfragmentary motion), inv...
Primary (direct) bone healing occurs with absolute stability (compression plating), requires anatomi...
Primary healing is faster than secondary healing; callus formation indicates failed healing; high in...
Factors promoting bone healing include adequate blood supply, mechanical stability appropriate for t...
Factors impairing bone healing include smoking (nicotine vasoconstriction, reduces osteoblast functi...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option