When a bone is fractured, whether due to injury or other factors, the body initiates a remarkable series of events to repair the damage and restore the bone to its original state.
The Four Stages of Bone Fracture Healing
There are four distinct stages: These stages include:
- Haematoma Formation: The initial stage involves the formation of a blood clot at the site of the fracture, which serves as the foundation for subsequent healing processes.
- Cartilage Formation: In this stage, a soft callus made of cartilage forms around the fracture, providing a temporary framework for new bone growth.
- Hard Callus Formation: Subsequent deposition of minerals and the conversion of cartilage into bone results in the formation of a hard callus, stabilising the fracture site.
- Remodelling: The final stage involves the reshaping and restructuring of the newly formed bone tissue to restore strength and functionality to the bone.