Fracture repair and augmentation page CORL website

Fracture Repair/Augmentation

The Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory has focused on developing either new methods of fracture fixation or biologics for fracture augmentation. Specifically, the laboratory is currently investigating BMP-2 combined with various matrices that are then applied to either normally healing fractures or delayed unions or nonunions in order to enhance their healing. Other projects have focused on developing new fracture fixation methods for equine long bone fractures. In addition, studies have been completed evaluating how best to enhance external skeletal fixation in dogs and the long-term effects of fracture repair on bone density in dogs.

Figure 1: Fluoroscopic image demonstrating the percutaneous injection of a calcium phosphate paste and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) injection into a tibial osteotomy stabilized with an external fixator.

Figure 2: Radiographic image demonstrating repair of a Salter-Harris type IV fracture of the distal humerus of a dog. This fracture is often pathological and is induced with minimal trauma because of a pre-existing sagittal crack in the condyle of the humerus