American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test

What is the first step in the fracture healing process?

1. Granulation formation

2. Callus formation

3. Blood clot formation

4. Bone remodeling

The correct answer is: Blood clot formation

The first step in the fracture healing process is blood clot formation. When a bone fractures, the immediate response of the body involves the disruption of blood vessels at the injury site, leading to bleeding. The body responds by forming a blood clot, which serves both to stop the bleeding and create a scaffold for the subsequent healing processes. This clot consists of platelets and fibrin, which form a temporary bridge across the fracture. This blood clot is crucial for providing the initial stability to the fracture site and facilitating the inflammatory response that follows, which is essential for healing. Once the clot has formed, the body initiates further healing processes, including the formation of granulation tissue and callus, followed by remodeling of the bone. However, without the formation of the blood clot, these subsequent steps could not occur effectively. Thus, blood clot formation is the critical first step in establishing an environment conducive to proper fracture healing.