ACCELEROMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF OSSEOUS UNION

Study of the dynamic structure response of the long bone has demonstra ted the potential to provide an objective quantitative test of fractur e healing. The method described consists of monitoring the porpagation of a mechanical wave across the fracture site. This wave - generated by the fall of a steel ball from a constant height on a subcutaneous b ony protuberance - was monitored on the side opposite the fracture gap by a light-weight accelerometer and traced on a beam-storage oscillos cope. The signals received were found to correlate linearly with the d ifferent stages of the fracture welding, as shown by accepted clinical and radiological practice. It seems feasible that the method, being n oninvasive, reproducible, simple, painless, and inexpensive, may be us ed to measure the parameters of fracture healing that are of clinical and scientific interest.