Bone Healing – An overview (Continued)

Oct 18, 2011

Restricted activity allows the progression of bone healing to proceed at a normal pace. Motion at the fracture site over time will result in a fibrous non-union. Instead of progressing to the cartilage phase, movement at the fracture site causes the process to stop at the fibrous stage which results in each end of the fracture being walled off in a fibrous ball. It forms a rubbery union and can not function as a normal bone. The fibrous non-union becomes another “joint” in the bone although a non-functional joint which can not support weight. To correct this condition, the fibrous tissue must be removed from the fragmenting the ends must be freshened to produce bleeding bone, and the entire healing process must start anew hopefully with a stable fixation that allows the healing to progress through the normal stages to a completely healed, functional bone.

The principles of fracture treatment that are the standard for veterinary medicine were described by the AO/ASIF Group and include the following:

Anatomical reduction of fracture fragments especially in the joints.
Stable fixation.
Preservation of blood supply to the bone fragments and soft tissue.
Early active pain-free mobilization of muscles and joints adjacent to the fracture to prevent fibrosis of the muscles and loss of normal function to the limb.

In some fractures the “look but do not touch” techniques is used. When the fragments are too many and too small to get an anatomical fixation, the fractured area is bridged by a plate or an external fixator and allowed to form a large callous that encompasses all of the fragments and eventually allows the bone to heal. The alignment of the limb is important in all planes so that joints are in the correct position to move the limb in a normal manner. This technique usually takes longer than rigid stabilization to get the bone healed.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) adhere to the highest quality of standards, which help ensure the best care for your pet.

Knowles Animal Clinics Proudly provide veterinary services for the City of Miami Canine Units, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Miami Dade Corrections / Narcotics, and Miami Dade's Canine Units.

Bone Healing – An overview (Continued)

Oct 18, 2011

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