Hemorrhage occurs in the bone as elsewhere; it is almost never lacking.
It appears either as large hemorrhages in the spongiosa, especially
where the normal marrow joins either the Geruestmark or the
Truemmerfeld, or merely as scattered cells, possibly the result of
diapedesis. The blood-vessels in these areas are narrow and extremely
thin-walled. The most typical site of hemorrhage is beneath the
periosteum, a lesion widely known on account of its clinical
significance (Fig. 16). Here the blood may extend for a considerable
distance along the shaft, but rarely beyond the epiphyseal line. The
clot forms readily, demonstrating that the nature of the hemorrhage is
not a defect in coagulation, and in its midst may be seen fibrin,
pigment, granulation tissue, and more or less firm connective
tissue--constituting the callus. The inner surface of the periosteum is
frequently lined with newly-formed bone and with a more or less dense
deposition of lime salts, which becomes heavier in the course of the
healing process, and is readily observed in radiographs. This
periostitis ossificans may result in the clot being surrounded by a
perfect shell of bone, with bony columns penetrating the deeper layers.
As the result of the lack of bone formation and the consequent weakening
of the corticalis and the spongiosa, frequently a separation of the
diaphysis from the epiphysis results. This lesion should not be regarded
as a true separation, for, as Barlow pointed out, the line of cleavage
is not at the junction, but below it, involving the uppermost region of
the diaphysis. It is therefore correct to speak of a fracture or
infraction. This lesion is generally accompanied by a deformity of the
surface contour of the junction, due to a displacement of the cartilage,
as a result of which "angular beading" of the rib is brought about. In
some instances the cartilage is "telescoped" into the crushed end of the
bone. To a varying extent fibrin covers the end of the fractured bone;
the angles adjacent to the periosteum contain blood which becomes
organized into dense connective tissue, thus serving as a splint for
the fractured parts. In the course of healing a large number of foreign
body giant-cells appear, blood-vessels sprout from the periosteum as
well as the bony surface, and the necrosed tissue gives place to an
active formation of callus, which generally leads to complete
regeneration and restitution. It is remarkable how quickly and perfectly
an epiphysis may become reunited to its shaft (Figs. 6 and 7).
Sometimes, however, this takes place with resulting deformity, as in the
development of coxa vara of the femur.
[Illustration: FIG. 6.--Posterior-anterior view of shoulder of infant
(R. S.) 17 months old. Severe scurvy. Subperiosteal hemorrhage of
humerus, and separation of upper epiphysis.]
[Illustration: FIG. 7.--Anterior-posterior view of same shoulder (see
fig. 6) 22 months later. Complete restitution of epiphysis without
deformity of humerus.]
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