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Concept
Nonunion
Summary
Nonunion is permanent failure of healing following a broken bone unless intervention (such as surgery) is performed. A fracture with nonunion generally forms a structural resemblance to a fibrous joint, and is therefore often called a "false joint" or pseudoarthrosis (from Greek pseudo-, meaning false, and arthrosis, meaning joint). The diagnosis is generally made when there is no healing between two sets of medical imaging, such as X-ray or CT scan. This is generally after 6–8 months.
Nonunion is a serious complication of a fracture and may occur when the fracture moves too much, has a poor blood supply or gets infected. Patients who smoke have a higher incidence of nonunion. The normal process of bone healing is interrupted or stalled.
Since the process of bone healing is quite variable, a nonunion may go on to heal without intervention in very few cases. In general, if a nonunion is still evident at 6 months post-injury it will remain unhealed without specific treatment, usually orthopedic surgery. A non-union which does go on to heal is called a delayed union.
A history of a broken bone is usually apparent. The patient complains of persistent pain at the fracture site and may also notice abnormal movement or clicking at the level of the fracture. An x-ray plate of the fractured bone shows a persistent radiolucent line at the fracture. Callus formation may be evident but callus does not bridge across the fracture. If there is doubt about the interpretation of the x-ray, stress x-rays, tomograms or CT scan may be used for confirmation.
The reasons for non-union are
avascular necrosis (the blood supply was interrupted by the fracture)
the two ends are not apposed (that is, they are not next to each other)
infection (particularly osteomyelitis)
the fracture is not fixed (that is, the two ends are still mobile)
soft-tissue imposition (there is muscle or ligament covering the broken ends and preventing them from touching each other)
Related to the person:
Age: Common in old age
Nutritional status : poor
Habits : Nicotine and alcohol consumption
Metabolic disturbance : Hyperparathyroidism
Can be found in those with NF1
Genetic predisposition
Causes related to fracture:
Related to the fracture site
Soft tissue interposition
Bone loss at the fracture
Infection
Loss of blood supply
Damage of surrounding muscles
Related to treatment
Inadequate reduction
Insufficient immobilization
Improperly applied fixation devices.
Official source
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