The aim of the present study was to monitor serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and C-terminal telopeptide fragments of type I collagen (CTX) over time in canine experimental osteotomies fixed using 2 osteosynthesis techniques, to determine the relevance of both markers in monitoring bone healing, and to investigate the influence of the 2 osteosynthesis techniques on their concentrations. Transperiosteal osteotomy of the diaphyses of the right tibia and fibula was performed in 12 dogs. The dogs were then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group 1 (6 dogs) underwent osteotomy fixed with intramedullary osteosynthesis (IMO) and group 2 (6 dogs) underwent osteotomy fixed with a plate (plate osteosynthesis [PLO]). Craniocaudal radiographs were obtained immediately after osteosynthesis, 2 weeks post-surgery and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months post-surgery. The evaluation of bone resorption was performed visually using a 4-grade scoring system. At the same time points, venous blood was sampled for determination of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and the concentration of C-terminal telopeptide fragments of type I collagen. Radiologically visible bone resorption was characterized by 2 peaks. The 1st peak occurred by the end of the 2nd postoperative week with both osteosynthesis methods (P < 0.001). The 2nd peak began by the end of the 4th postoperative month and persisted until the end of the experiment. Serum TRAP was not a reliable marker of bone resorption during the study period. CTX concentrations increased considerably in both groups by the end of the 1st postoperative month (P < 0.05), decreased by the 3rd postoperative month, and increased again by the end of the 5th postoperative month. CTX, therefore, could be used to monitor normal bone healing.

The aim of the present study was to monitor serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and C-terminal telopeptide fragments of type I collagen (CTX) over time in canine experimental osteotomies fixed using 2 osteosynthesis techniques, to determine the relevance of both markers in monitoring bone healing, and to investigate the influence of the 2 osteosynthesis techniques on their concentrations. Transperiosteal osteotomy of the diaphyses of the right tibia and fibula was performed in 12 dogs. The dogs were then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group 1 (6 dogs) underwent osteotomy fixed with intramedullary osteosynthesis (IMO) and group 2 (6 dogs) underwent osteotomy fixed with a plate (plate osteosynthesis [PLO]). Craniocaudal radiographs were obtained immediately after osteosynthesis, 2 weeks post-surgery and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months post-surgery. The evaluation of bone resorption was performed visually using a 4-grade scoring system. At the same time points, venous blood was sampled for determination of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and the concentration of C-terminal telopeptide fragments of type I collagen. Radiologically visible bone resorption was characterized by 2 peaks. The 1st peak occurred by the end of the 2nd postoperative week with both osteosynthesis methods (P < 0.001). The 2nd peak began by the end of the 4th postoperative month and persisted until the end of the experiment. Serum TRAP was not a reliable marker of bone resorption during the study period. CTX concentrations increased considerably in both groups by the end of the 1st postoperative month (P < 0.05), decreased by the 3rd postoperative month, and increased again by the end of the 5th postoperative month. CTX, therefore, could be used to monitor normal bone healing.