What are the stages of fracture healing in correct order?

• A. Hematoma forms; soft (fibrocartilaginous) callus forms; hard (bony) callus replaces it; remodeling shapes woven bone into mature lamellar bone
• B. Hematoma forms; remodeling occurs; soft callus forms; hard callus forms
• C. Inflammation; hematoma; fibrocartilage callus; remodeling
• D. Direct bone healing without callus

Answer: (A)

Fracture healing proceeds in a staged sequence that first stabilizes the break and then restores bone structure. After the fracture, a hematoma forms as blood vessels rupture, providing a scaffold and triggering inflammation to clean up debris. This is followed by a soft (fibrocartilaginous) callus that bridges the gap with cartilage and connective tissue, offering stability. The soft callus is then replaced by a hard (bony) callus as osteoblasts lay down woven bone, creating a solid bridge across the fracture. Finally, remodeling reshapes the woven bone into mature lamellar bone, restoring the bone’s original shape and strength. While direct healing without a callus can occur in very rigidly fixed fractures, the classic order always includes the soft callus and hard callus steps before remodeling.