ABSTRACT
Facture healing is a complex process resulting from the interaction of cellular elements that are activated and controlled by an array of proinflammatory cytokines and signaling proteins. This process is both temporal and spatial in nature and results in the formation of new bone that has properties very similar to the original prefracture structure. In children, the repair process simulates regeneration and results in bone that is both structurally and me chanically identical to native bone. This is a unique healing process compared to elsewhere in the body where healing results in scar formation. The ability of the skeleton to repair itself in this manner is a vital survival mechanism. Despite this ability, the repair process may fail. There are many reasons why this may occur, some are obvious and well understood while little is known about others, particularly at a cellular level.
