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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
12:04
Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
2.6K
Black bone disease in a healing fracture
Desmond Thiam1, Tse Yean Teo1, Rishi Malhotra1
1Department of Orthopaedics, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
BMJ Case Reports
|January 30, 2016
Summary
Black bone disease, a rare condition causing bone hyperpigmentation from minocycline, was observed in bone callus during fracture healing. This case highlights the unexpected timing of this side effect in orthopaedic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
Background:
- Black bone disease is characterized by bone hyperpigmentation due to prolonged minocycline use.
- Minocycline is an antibiotic frequently used in orthopaedic practice.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old male patient developed black bone disease affecting femoral bone callus.
- This occurred during the interval period of bone healing after refracture and repeat fixation.
Findings:
- Intraoperative findings revealed abundant, heavily pigmented, dark brown bone callus.
- The bone appearance was consistent with minocycline-associated pigmentation, with no other pathology.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case of black bone disease manifesting in bone callus during the bone healing interval.
- Highlights the need for awareness among orthopaedic surgeons regarding this rare iatrogenic complication.
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