Energy metabolism in fracture healing. Measurement of adenosine triphosphate in callus to monitor progress.

We measured the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of callus at various intervals during healing in 78 fractured tibiae in 10- to 12-week-old rabbits. The results, compared with the level in normal tissues, showed a high rate of energy metabolism in the early phase of fracture healing, which persisted until the callus was corticalised and remodelling had started. The ATP content could provide a more sensitive index to monitor fracture healing in animal studies. Our findings lend support to the need for nutritional supplements for patients with multiple fractures.