G. Vertenten (1), F. Gasthuys (1), M. Cornelissen (2), E. Schacht (3), L. Vlaminck (1) 1) Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; (2) Department of Basic Medical Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; (3) Department of Organic Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2010 3 153-162 Methods currently used to restore bone defects in human and veterinary orthopaedics are often not satisfactory. This is especially the case in the healing of large, irregular defects which result in the formation of tissues with inferior qualities compared to the original structures. For these reasons, several new approaches are currently being explored to improve bone healing capacities in different situations. This review will examine the different techniques used to enhance bone regeneration, highlighting both experimental and clinically applicable methods with regard to veterinary orthopaedics.