AEMCA Practice Exam

Which phase follows the hematoma formation in the healing process?

1. Bone callus phase

2. Remodeling phase

3. Fibrocartilage phase

4. Inflammation phase

The correct answer is: Fibrocartilage phase

The healing process following a fracture consists of several distinct phases, and understanding these phases helps clarify the sequence of healing events. After hematoma formation occurs, which is the immediate response to a fracture where blood clots around the site of injury, the next phase is the fibrocartilage phase. During this time, a soft callus made of fibrocartilage forms as a bridge between the broken bone ends. This process involves the infiltration of cells, including fibroblasts and chondroblasts, which contribute to the development of this soft tissue framework. It plays a crucial role in stabilizing the fracture and providing a scaffold for new bone growth. Following the fibrocartilage phase, the bone callus phase occurs, where ossification transforms the soft callus into a hard bony callus, which eventually leads to the remodeling phase where bone is refined and strengthened. The inflammation phase, while critical in initiating healing, sets the stage for hematoma formation and occurs before the fibrocartilage phase. Understanding this sequence is essential for grasping how bone repair progresses and the importance of each phase in restoring the integrity of bone structure.