A fracture is a break in a bone that happens when a strong force is applied. The treatment for fractures involves joining the broken bones, which can be done by keeping the area still so the bone can heal by itself, or by surgically aligning the bones and securing them with metal pins, rods, or plates. In some cases, the broken bone does not heal properly even after treatment. This condition is known as nonunion. Nonunion occurs when the broken bones do not receive enough nutrients, blood flow, or proper stability (such as not being immobilized enough) to heal. Signs of nonunion include pain that continues after the initial injury pain has gone away, swelling, tenderness, abnormal shape, and trouble putting weight on the affected area.
When you show these symptoms, your doctor might recommend imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to confirm a diagnosis of nonunion. The treatment for nonunion fractures can be done through non-surgical or surgical methods.
Non-surgical treatment: This method involves the use of a bone stimulator, a small device that produces ultrasonic or pulsed electromagnetic waves, which stimulates the healing process. You will be instructed to place the stimulator over the region of nonunion for 20 minutes to a few hours every day.
Surgical treatment:
The surgical method of treatment for nonunion is aimed at:
- Establishing stability:Metal rods, plates, or screws are placed inside the body to keep the broken bones aligned above and below the fractured area. This support can be provided either from within the body or from outside.
- Providing a healthy blood supply and soft tissue at the fracture site: Your doctor removes dead bone along with any poorly vascularized or scarred tissue from the site of fracture to encourage healing. Sometimes, healthy soft tissue along with its underlying blood vessels may be removed from another part of your body and transplanted at the fracture site to promote healing.
- Bone grafts can be used to introduce new bone-forming cells and supportive cells, which help trigger a fresh healing process in the bone.
