Oncology Biology and Physics evaluated 66 patients seen in a trauma center. The referral for radiation was based upon the orthopedic surgeons advice only. It was not a randomized experiment. Most patients either received 800 rad in one fraction or 1000 rad in five fractions. Rad is a measurement of radiation dose.
Fractions are the number of radiation treatments.
Patients were then followed at least six months after to determine the presence of heterotopic ossification or calcification of joint space. It is thought that if calcium is to deposit in the joint space it will do so quickly after surgery. That is why radiation is delivered so promptly. Recently a patient came to us months after surgery who was not offered radiation elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is too late.