Research directions for bone healing

Recently our knowledge has vastly expanded in the pathophysiological mechanisms governing the heating process of fractures. Research is ongoing in every aspect of tissue engineering and regeneration. Several molecular mediators have entered phase III clinical trials in order to evaluate their efficacy in enhancing the biological activity of fractures. Despite these developments several issues of importance remain obscured. For instance the timing of intervention, the appropriate dose of agents, the length of intervention, the routine use of available growth factors in clinical practice or not represent some of the important areas requiring further investigation. This article highlights issues relating to bone regeneration which could potentially be the focus of research in the near future. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.