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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Sequential In vivo Imaging of Osteogenic Stem/Progenitor Cells During Fracture Repair
Published on: May 23, 2014
Origin of Reparative Stem Cells in Fracture Healing
Beth C Bragdon1, Chelsea S Bahney2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St, Evans 243, Boston, MA, 02118, USA. bragdon@bu.edu.
Purpose Of Review:
The identity and functional roles of stem cell population(s) that contribute to fracture repair remains unclear. This review provides a brief history of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) and provides an updated view of the many stem/progenitor cell populations contributing to fracture repair.
Recent Findings:
Functional studies show MSCs are not the multipotential stem cell population that form cartilage and bone during fracture repair. Rather, multiple studies have confirmed the periosteum is the primary source of stem/progenitor cells for fracture repair. Newer work is also identifying other stem/progenitor cells that may also contribute to healing. Although the heterogenous periosteal cells migrate to the fracture site and contribute directly to callus formation, other cell populations are involved. Pericytes and bone marrow stromal cells are now thought of as key secretory centers that mostly coordinate the repair process. Other populations of stem/progenitor cells from the muscle and transdifferentiated chondroctyes may also contribute to repair, and their functional role is an area of active research.
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Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...

