Urinary hydroxyproline as a measure in fracture healing.

The determination of any pattern in urinary total OH-proline following bone fractures has been the purpose of this investigation. This was carried out in a group of 11 patients with major fractures, a group of 8 patients with minor fractures and a control group of 10 healthy laboratory technicians. Indeed, some patterns could be detected. In patients with major fractures a considerable elevation of urinary total OH-proline was found which was correlated to the size and number of fractures and the healing tendency of the fracture. Normal to only slightly elevated urinary total OH-proline values during the course of the healing process of major fractures could perhaps indicate delayed union, or even malunion. Since fracture healing is usually assessed by X-ray examination and clinical experience, this study could provide a more accurate measure of the healing process of fractures.