Which of the following is NOT a recognized stage in the overlapping process of fracture healing?

• A. Inflammatory (hematoma)
• B. Reparative (callus formation)
• C. Remodeling
• D. Fibroplasia

Answer: (D)

The process of fracture healing is described as three overlapping stages: inflammation with hematoma formation, a reparative phase where a callus forms to bridge the fracture (soft callus then hard callus), and a remodeling phase where woven bone is replaced by lamellar bone and the bone's original structure is restored. Fibroplasia refers to fibrous tissue formation and is a concept from soft-tissue healing; while fibrous tissue contributes to the callus during repair, it is not named as a separate stage in the standard fracture-healing sequence. So fibroplasia is not a recognized distinct stage, whereas inflammatory hematoma, reparative callus formation, and remodeling are.