Noninvasive quantitative assessment of bone healing after distraction osteogenesis. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • One of the greatest challenges of limb lengthening and deformity correction is deciding when the bone has healed enough to remove the external fixator. Standard radiography is the most common imaging method used to assess bone healing after distraction osteogenesis because it is widely available, cheap, and relatively safe. However, other imaging technologies and methods are being investigated that will help quantify bone healing after distraction osteogenesis, providing an objective method for deciding when it is appropriate to remove an external fixator. This review will examine the latest techniques used to assess bone healing after distraction osteogenesis including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, ultrasound, quantitative computed tomography, and digital radiography (X-ray). Recommendations for clinical practice will be outlined.

publication date

  • August 18, 2009

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2821501

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 48549085508

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s00256-008-0495-7

PubMed ID

  • 19688405

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 6

issue

  • 1