Cortical and cancellous bone healing processes appear to be histologically different. They also respond differently to anti-inflammatory agents. We investigated whether the leucocyte composition on days 3 and 5 after cortical and cancellous injuries to bone was different, and compared changes over time using day 3 as the baseline. Ten-week-old male C56/Bl6J mice were randomized to either cancellous injury in the proximal tibia or cortical injury in the femoral diaphysis. Regenerating tissues were analyzed with flow cytometry at days 3 and 5, using panels with 15 antibodies for common macrophage and lymphocyte markers. The cellular response from day 3 to 5 was compared in order to identify differences in how cancellous and cortical bone healing develop.Objectives
Methods
The negative impact of NSAIDs on fracture healing appears not to pertain to fractures in cancellous bone. Possibly this is because of a higher prevalence of MSCs in cancellous bone, making recruitment of distant cells via inflammatory signals less important. It is well established that cox inhibitors (NSAIDs) impair fracture healing, also in humans. However, as they provide good pain relief it is unclear when to avoid these drugs. The healing process in cortical and cancellous fractures differs regarding progenitor cell sources, and inflammation might be involved in the recruitment of cells from distant sources. We therefore hypothesised that fractures in cancellous bone are less sensitive to reduced inflammation due to cox inhibitors.Summary
Introduction
Atypical femoral fractures consist of a thin fracture line extending through the lateral cortex. The adjacent bone is undergoing resorption and mechanical abrasion and is often replaced with woven bone. The mechanical environment seems to inhibit healing. The pathophysiology behind bisphosphonate-associated atypical femoral fractures remains unclear. Histological findings at the fracture site itself might provide important clues. So far only one case describing the histological appearance of the fracture has been published.Summary Statement
Background
These data suggest that PTH treatment for stimulation of bone healing after trauma is not much dependent on mechanical stimulation and therefore, roughly equal treatment effects might be expected in the upper and lower extremities in humans. Stimulation of bone formation by PTH is known to, in part, act via increased mechanosensitivity. Therefore, unloading should decrease the response to PTH treatment in uninjured bone. This has served as a background for speculations that PTH might be less efficacious for human fracture treatment in unloaded limbs, e.g. for distal radial fractures. We analyzed if the connection with mechanical stimulation also pertains to bone formation after trauma in cancellous bone.Summary
Introduction
