Issues in Fracture Healing

Question 1

What are the 3 issues in fracture healing?

Answer 1

• Pseudoarthrosis.
• Bony alignment.
• Large fractures.

Question 2

What is pseudoarthrosis?

Answer 2

• Occurs if the fracture is not stable, by nature or immobilization.
• This results in a non-union of bone.

Question 3

Why can bony alignment be an issue for fracture healing?

Answer 3

• Splinting.
• Manipulation.
• FIxation.
• All can influence issues in alignment.

Question 4

Why can large fractures be an issue in fracture healing?

Answer 4

• Large fractures mean there is a large gap to heal.
• An Ilizarov frame, a circular fixator is used to stabilise + lengthen the tibia.
• Small wires + pins fix the bone to the frame.
• This prevents the bone from healing short.