title: The bone union process: pathophysiology and clinical issues. The course of bone union and the physical factors contitioning its occurrence.
abstract: One of the essential elements needed to undertake the proper course of treatment to restore functions lost as a result of fracture is familiarity with the process of bone union. Despite the significant advances in treatment techniques seen in the last 100 years, disturbances in bone union still take place in many cases, rendering in impossible to restore proper limb function. The failures that occur in treating fractures - in the form of retarded union or pseudarthrosis, as well as bone inflammations - have been and remain stimuli prompting many clinicians and scientists to research the processes taking place in the proper physiological process of bone union, and to search for new methods to treat disturbances of these processes. The present article discusses issues involved with the pathophysiology of osteogenetic processes, mineralization of bone tissue and bone rotation, the role of angiogenesis in the process of fracture healing, and the pathomechanism of bone union in formation. The hormonal and physical factors affecting the course and stimulation are discussed, as well as methods supporting and stimulating the bone union processes (electrical, electromagnetic, and ultra-sound stimulation).
authors.affiliation: Oddział Ortopedyczno-Urazowy, Szpital Czerniakowski, Warszawa.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deszczyński
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szczesny