ortho non union

Question 1

what are non unions

Answer 1

A nonunion is an arrest in the fracture repair process
progressive evidence of non healing of a fracture of a bone
a delayed union is generally defined as a failure to reach bony union by 6 months post-injury
this also includes fractures that are taking longer than expected to heal (ie. distal radial fractures)

Question 2

classify the diff types of nonunion

Answer 2

septic nonunion
caused by infection
CRP test as the most accurate predictor of infection

hypertrophic nonunion
caused by inadequate stability with adequate blood supply and biology
abundant callous formation without bridging bone

atrophic nonunion
caused by inadequate immobilization and inadequate blood supply

Question 3

how arehypertrophic nonunions treated

Answer 3

typically heal once mechanical stability is improved