title: Current concepts of bone healing.
abstract: The intent of this article is to present the current understanding of fracture repair and offer investigative evidence to the use of exogenous growth factors enhancing fracture healing. The authors believe that exogenous growth factors have tremendous clinical applications and will continue to influence bone healing in the future. With the expanding knowledge of the intricate molecular and cellular biology of fracture repair being realized, surgeons will be able to enhance and ensure healing of surgical osteotomies, fractured bone ends, or delayed unions. This field of medicine is continuously growing and the possibilities seem endless.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Clinics, Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Mandracchia
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Barp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances