Bone healing and osteoporosis

A correct fracture healing depends on the synergy between biomechanical, molecular and cellular factors. Focusing on different stages, fracture hematoma represents the starting point of the inflammatory process, with a critical role in triggering the process of fracture healing. The essential factors for bone repair are the activation of mesenchymal stem cells and the release of growth and regulatory factors. Moreover, the efficacy of fracture healing is determined by three ideal conditions: adequate blood supply, good contact between bone fragments and good stability. It is remarkable how the implant choice influences fracture healing after surgical treatment. In osteoporosis, bone quality adversely affects the tissue structural competence, increasing the risk of a complicated fracture healing. The qualitative and quantitative alterations established at the cellular level during osteoporosis explain the progressive deterioration of bone tissue healing ability. (Aging Clin Exp Res 2011; 23 (Suppl. to No. 2): 62-64) (C) 2011, Editrice Kurtis