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Noninvasive Quantitative Assessment of Bone Healing After Distraction Osteogenesis

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HSS Journal

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, PH-11, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Oladapo M. Babatunde M.D.

  2. Institute for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Austin T. Fragomen M.D. & S. Robert Rozbruch M.D.

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  1. Oladapo M. Babatunde M.D.
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  2. Austin T. Fragomen M.D.
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  3. S. Robert Rozbruch M.D.
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Correspondence to Oladapo M. Babatunde M.D..

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Babatunde, O.M., Fragomen, A.T. & Rozbruch, S.R. Noninvasive Quantitative Assessment of Bone Healing After Distraction Osteogenesis. HSS Jrnl 6, 71–78 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9130-y

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