The effect of static compression on the progression of bone healing. An experimental study on rabbits

We aimed to evaluate the effect of static compression on the progression of mid-diaphyseal bone healing. For this purpose, we used thirty-six New Zealand rabbits that were submitted to iatrogenic fracture of the tibial diaphysis that was reduced and stabilized using external fixation, with and without the application of static compression. Three-point bending was applied in order to assess the mechanical strains of the tibial bone healing. Samples from the callus were obtained in order to examine histomorphologically the biomechanical effect of repeated compression at the fracture site and to evaluate the progression of bone healing at different time intervals. Statistically significant differences were found between the three and six weeks concerning the parameters of fracture load, stiffness and toughness in favor of the group submitted to compression. Histomorphological evaluation confirmed that progression of fracture healing was more rapid under compression loading. We concluded that compression applied on the fracture edges enhances bone healing.