EXPERIENCE has shown that cartilage and its extracts have a favorable influence on soft tissue healing.1 Trials with similar products in the local treatment of experimental bone defects are associated with such complications as abscess formations.2 Nevertheless, in those cases where no untoward local reaction is observed, bone healing seems somewhat accelerated. An exclusively parenteral treatment with cartilage extracts might reduce the incidence of complications. We tested the possible effect of such a treatment in cases in which spontaneous union would be delayed. The present paper reports on a series of rabbits and guinea pigs with experimentally induced delayed bone union treated with parenteral saline cartilage extracts.
Material and Methods
Rabbits.—Eleven adult female rabbits, weighing, 4 ∓ 0.2 kg each, were operated on and a 3 mm segment was bilaterally removed from the midshaft of the radius. The bone ends on both sides of the removed