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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2001; 14(04): 169-178
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632694
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Biological fracture fixation: a perspective

J. R. Field
1   Orthopaedic Unit, Flinders University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia
2   College of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
,
H. Törnkvist
3   Department of Orthopaedics, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
› Author AffiliationsThis work was supported by grants from the EP Taylor Equine Research Fund, Ontario, Canada, AO Vet, Davos, Switzerland, the Mohill Orthopaedic Research Initiative, Ontario, Canada and the Adelaide Bone and Joint Research Foundation, South Australia, Australia.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 05 March 2001

Accepted 17 April 2001

Publication Date:
09 February 2018 (online)

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The concept of biological fracture fixation encompasses a reduction in soft-tissue trauma at the time of surgery, usually involving percutaneous application of plates. This is combined with the implantation of reduced amounts of hardware; the desired result is a fracture that repairs through indirect bone union with the formation of callus. The end result is a fracture that heals faster and is stronger, at least in the healing phase.

Biological fixation is not uncommonly utilized in human orthopaedics, particularly for diaphyseal fractures which involve a number (>2) of fragments with articular disruption. This methodology may also have application in veterinary orthopaedics, particularly small animals or the juvenile equid.

Keywords

Biological fixation - bone plate - orthopaedics
 

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