2015 January ; 11(1): 45–54. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2014.164. | Thomas A. Einhorn and Louis C. Gerstenfeld
This article reviews the mechanisms and interventions in fracture healing, a postnatal regenerative process that mirrors embryonic skeletal development. It discusses the developmental progression of fracture healing at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels, including the roles of innate and adaptive immune processes, environmental factors, and vascular tissues. The article also presents strategies for fracture treatment tested in animal models and clinical trials, focusing on biophysical and biological approaches such as electromagnetic fields, low-intensity pulsed ultrasonography, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy. The molecular actions of these therapeutic approaches are discussed, highlighting their potential to enhance fracture healing. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to optimize conditions for stem cell harvest, selection, expansion, and formulation, as well as the development of better delivery systems for osteogenic agents and systemic applications.This article reviews the mechanisms and interventions in fracture healing, a postnatal regenerative process that mirrors embryonic skeletal development. It discusses the developmental progression of fracture healing at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels, including the roles of innate and adaptive immune processes, environmental factors, and vascular tissues. The article also presents strategies for fracture treatment tested in animal models and clinical trials, focusing on biophysical and biological approaches such as electromagnetic fields, low-intensity pulsed ultrasonography, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy. The molecular actions of these therapeutic approaches are discussed, highlighting their potential to enhance fracture healing. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to optimize conditions for stem cell harvest, selection, expansion, and formulation, as well as the development of better delivery systems for osteogenic agents and systemic applications.