Effects of surface demineralization on fracture healing in rat tibias

Surface demineralization of bone in vivo induces new cartilage and bone formation locally. We studied the effects of local surface demineralization of the tibia in the rat on the process of fracture healing. We found that demineralization for 20 minutes with 0.5N HCl induced in the first 10 days following fracture less cartilaginous callus, with less calcium and magnesium, as compared to controls. However, from the second week on, the amount of cartilaginous callus in HCl-treated and control fractured bones was similar. Bony callus was greater in HCl-treated bones throughout the experiment, but X-rays showed poor bone union 5-8 weeks following fracture. Surface demineralization of bone in vitro induces local cartilage and bone formation, but inhibits good fracture healing.