Biologic fixation is described by which classification system?

• A. Stewart classification
• B. Hawkins classification
• C. DICOM classification
• D. Salter-Harris classification

Answer: (A)

Biologic fixation centers on using the body’s natural healing potential while choosing fixation methods that preserve blood supply and soft-tissue health. The Stewart classification is designed to describe injuries and fixation strategies through that lens, categorizing approaches based on how well they support biology-driven healing rather than just providing a mechanical, rigid fix. This makes it the most appropriate framework for describing biologic fixation.

The other systems focus on different things: Hawkins classifies talar neck fracture patterns, Salter-Harris classifies growth-plate (physeal) injuries, and DICOM is simply an imaging data standard. Those do not specifically address how fixation interacts with biological healing, so they’re not describing biologic fixation.