Pathology of bone injury

Although the response to injury in bone has some characteristics in common with that in soft tissues, bone repair differs in that it occurs in a mineralized tissue that has a high degree of cellular and molecular organization. Bone is a unique tissue in the body as it is capable of reconstituting itself following injury. Almost any pathological insult to bone can be said to cause a bone injury. This review deals with the response to bone injury that occurs secondary to physical agents, notably mechanical trauma, pressure and ionizing radiation. These agents evoke a common pathological response, but a number of specific aspects are seen in particular types of bone injury.