Bone healing in rabbits after compression osteosynthesis, studied by Tc-99m(Sn)polyphosphate scintimetry and autoradiography.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the scintimetric time course (STC) for Tc-99m(Sn) polyphosphate in rabbit tibias after various osteosynthetic procedures, and to correlate the findings with those from serial radiographs and with autoradiographic and histologic evaluation of the bone. The STC was similar for all treatment groups, with a peak value within the second week after surgery. Significantly different levels of the STC were found after subperiosteal exploration, plate insertion, osteotomy and compression plating, or osteotomy and medullary nailing. The radiological, autoradiographic, and histological findings revealed that Tc-99m scintimetry monitors callus formation. The STC thus appears to be a valuable tool for the quantitative study of bone healing.