Final answer:
The bone file is used for final smoothing of bone surfaces after instruments have removed most of the undesirable bone during the bone repair process, particularly following a bone fracture. It helps to fine-tune the remodeling done by the osteoclasts and osteoblasts to restore the bone's original shape and strength.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bone file is used to smooth the surface of the bone after a bone fracture has been managed, and instruments like chisels or rongeurs have removed most of the undesirable bone. The process of bone repair involves several stages: formation of a fracture hematoma, development of a fibrocartilaginous callus, conversion into a bony callus, and finally, the remodeling phase where osteoclasts and osteoblasts reshape the bone tissue.
The bony callus is formed by the osteoblasts laying down new bone and osteoclasts removing the excess material. This is an important stage as it helps to restore the bone to its original shape and strength. However, the bone may remain uneven for years, and the final task of ensuring a smooth surface is finished with tools like the bone file, which fine-tunes the bone remodeling by smoothing any irregularities after the bulk of the reshaping has been completed.