Prognostic Significance of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity and Callus Volume in Operatively Treated Bone Fractures

Abstract

Total and bone alkaline phosphatase are indicators of bone formation, a process essential in bone healing. The aim of
this study was to assess the relationship of both total and bone alkaline phosphatase with the course and features of healing
in surgically treated long bone fractures as compared to the callus volume. In this study, total and bone alkaline
phosphatase levels and the callus volume were measured in two patients with long bone fractures. Fracture healing was
rapid in one patient and slow in the other. Depending on the healing outcome, on day 7 an increase in the case of slow
healing and a decrease in the case of rapid healing was noted for both total and bone alkaline phosphatase. In the case
of slow healing, the callus volume was significant whereas in the case of rapid healing the callus was almost invisible on
day 7. This result indicates a possible prognostic significance of aforementioned clinical biochemical and radiographic
parameters in the monitoring of long bone fracture healing.