The radii of 48 rabbits were fractured by operation and contents of many elements in bone during fracture healing were determined by PIXE. Irregular changes of the contents of 10 trace elements were observed
whereas regular changes of trace elements Sr and Fe in bone were found with a concave shape and convex one respectively
during the fracttire healing period
suggesting that the contents of trace elements Fe and Sr in bone could be considered as an indicator of fracture healing. Although our results do not support the therapy of fracture by administering element Ca according to the Western medicine
the present work is in favor of the treatment of fracture healing by taking some traditional Chinese medicines which contain many kinds of trace elements.