1996 Bone Mineral Density Changes During Fracture Healing

Description: Bone mineral density changes during fracture healing: a densitometric study in rats P. J. Millett (1), B. Cohen (2), M. J. Allen (3), N. Rushton (2) Research conducted at the Orthopaedic Research Unit, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK Summary: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a quantitative technique for determination of bone mineral density (BMD). DXA was used to measure BMD of during fracture healing in rats. Stainless steel or titanium intramedullary nails were inserted into the right femora of male, two month old Sprague-Dawley rats. Closed mid-diaphyseal fractures were then created by three-point bending. Measurements of BMD were made in five regions of the femur in animals killed at 2, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery.Between weeks two and eight, there were significant increases in BMD in all five regions of interest for both treatment groups. There were no statistically significant differences in BMD between treatment groups. There are regional and temporal changes that occur in bones during fracture healing. We believe that that DXA is a useful technique for quantification of bone healing in this small animal model. The technique may have important clinical utility in the prediction of delayed or non-union.