Abstract
Background
During the last two decades, our understanding of fracture healing has evolved rapidly. Bone is one of the few body tissues that can heal without forming a fibrous scar and, as such, the process of fracture healing recapitulates bone development and may be considered a form of tissue regeneration. The complex cell and tissue proliferation and differentiation processes involved in fracture healing are regulated by growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, hormones, amino acids, and other nutrients. Objective: To identify changes in serum level of calcium, ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone according to mode of trauma (low and high energy) in forearm fractures and their role in fracture healing.
Patients and Methods
50 Patients with forearm fracture were prospectively recruited from the Accident and Emergency Department of Trauma Surgery, El Zaitoun specialized hospital within 48 hours of sustaining the fracture. Patients included in the study were asked to avoid calcium supplementation during fracture healing.
Results
Mean PTH was elevated in both groups at Day 1 with low energy group was insignificantly higher than high energy group, whereas after 8 weeks mean PTH level decreased in both groups but in low energy group mean PTH level was significantly higher than high energy group. Mean ALP level increased in both groups at Day 1 whereas in low energy group it was insignificantly higher than that of high energy group, After 8 weeks mean ALP level insignificantly decreased to normal level in both groups. Mean serum calcium level was below normal level in both groups where it was insignificantly higher in high energy group than that of low energy group which increased after 8 weeks in both groups but remained elevated in high energy than low energy group. Mean serum ionized calcium level was below normal level at Day 1 in both groups whereas it was insignificantly higher in high energy group than low energy group which after 8 weeks increased in both groups but remained elevated in high energy group than low energy group.
Conclusion
Serial monitoring of these physiological markers reflect the actual status of bone resorption, and bone formation respectively over a short period. Thus, they can be used as an adjunct to clinical and radiological evidence of fracture healing.