Fig. 6

Histological analysis of areas within the bone gap. a, b These figures demonstrate the smooth integration of the new bone along the original bone (hematoxylin stain, × 10 and × 20, respectively). d, e Bone growth inside the gap area revealing compact bone arrangement of the newly formed bone and areas of maturating woven bone (hematoxylin stain, × 10 and × 20, respectively). c, f Masson’s trichrome stain demonstrating mineralized tissue with areas of premature bone- and marrow-like tissue (× 4 and × 10, respectively). Light blue arrows represent viable, original untreated bone; yellow arrows represent the transition between original and newly formed bone; green arrows represent newly formed compact bone; red arrows represent areas with chondrogenic activity indicating that endochondral ossification has not completed; and dark blue arrows mark areas with marrow-like areas with high osteoblastic activity