The Effects of Motion on the Healing of Cancellous Bone

J. Schatzker, James P. Waddell, James Stoll

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research · 1989 · 22 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

In 20 dogs olecranon osteotomies fixed with tension band wires were studied histologically to reveal the pattern of healing. Different degrees of stability existed in different areas of the osteotomy. Under stable conditions cancellous bone healed by direct formation of woven bone. Instability resulted in an internal cartilaginous callus. Once stability was restored, the callus underwent endochondral ossification. The articular defect, which was in an area of maximum instability, healed by fibrocartilage.