Delayed healing of experimental fractures in the denervated limbs of dogs : clinical and radiological study

Abstract EN

Objective: Study the effect of denervation of the limbs on bone healing in dogs.

Design: Experimental humeral mid-shaft osteotomy and immobilisation by plates were performed in the right forelimbs of two groups of dogs.

At the same time, total brachial plexus neurectomy was undertaken in animals of the first group.

The second group was control.

Clinical and radiological findings were recorded for a period of three months.

Results: Animals of the neurectomised group had complete paralysis of the right forelimbs and did not show complete radiological union after 90 days while the control group healed at 45 days.

Interpretation: Denervation significantly (P < 0.05) delayed bone union and retarded callus formation in experimental fracture.

Conclusion: Further studies required to understand the exact role of normal innervation of bone in fracture healing, and the effect of trauma on bone repair in paralytic limbs.

Bahrain Med Bull 1996;18(1): The effect of peripheral nerve lesions on callus formation is controversial.

Thus while peripheral denervation is believed to delay healing and decrease the rate of callus formation of experimental fractures, rapid fracture union by bridging external callus has been demonstrated in denervated limbs of rats1-6.

The callus produced in the latter