Bone Healing Stages Overview

Hematoma Formation

• A hematoma, or mass of clotted blood, forms at the site of the fracture.
• The injured area becomes swollen, painful, and inflamed due to the response of dead bone cells.
• This stage lasts several weeks.

Fibrocartilaginous Callus Formation

• A fibrocartilaginous callus forms, consisting of collagen fibers and cartilage, bridging the broken ends of the bone.
• This healing stage typically lasts up to three weeks.

Bony Callus Formation

• The fibrocartilaginous callus is gradually replaced by spongy bone, leading to the formation of a bony callus.
• This stage can last approximately 3 to 4 months.

Bone Remodeling

• In this stage, remaining bone fragments are reabsorbed, and compact bone replaces spongy bone around the periphery.
• The duration for this process can range from weeks to months, varying based on the severity of the fracture.

Explore the stages of bone healing, including hematoma formation, fibrocartilaginous callus formation, bony callus formation, and bone remodeling. Understand how each stage contributes to the repair process and the typical duration for each phase.