Clinical Assessments of Fracture Healing and Basic Science Correlates: Is There Room for Convergence?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the clinical and basic science methods used to assess fracture healing and propose a framework to improve the translational possibilities.Recent FindingsMainstays of fracture healing assessment include clinical examination, various imaging modalities, and assessment of function. Pre-clinical studies have yielded insight into biomechanical progression as well as the genetic, molecular, and cellular processes of fracture healing. Efforts are emerging to identify early markers to predict impaired healing and possibly early intervention to alter these processes.SummaryDespite of the differences in clinical and preclinical research, opportunities exist to unify and improve the translational efforts between these arenas to develop and optimize our ability to assess and predict fracture healing, thereby improving the clinical care of these patients.
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research