McKibbin's 1978 review systematically describes the biology of long bone fracture healing, organizing repair into sequential but overlapping phases and identifying three distinct bridging mechanisms — external callus, medullary callus, and primary osteonal union — each governed by different mechanical and biological rules.
Understanding these biological principles helps residents recognize why certain factors (age, nutrition, blood supply) affect healing rates and guides treatment decisions regarding fracture stabilization and timing of interventions.
McKibbin's 1978 review systematically describes the biology of long bone fracture healing, organizing repair into sequential but overlapping phases and identifying three distinct bridging mechanisms — external callus, medullary callus, and primary osteonal union — each governed by different mechanical and biological rules.
Understanding these biological principles helps residents recognize why certain factors (age, nutrition, blood supply) affect healing rates and guides treatment decisions regarding fracture stabilization and timing of interventions.