What is an atrophic non-union?

What is an atrophic non-union?

Atrophic non-union fractures occur when the bone ends have a very limited or nonexistent blood supply or parts of the bone are missing. There is almost certainly infection present. X-ray and CT scans will usually show significant instability of the metalwork with bone defects.

How do you define non-union?

Nonunion of bone is the body’s inability to heal a fracture. The most agreed-upon standard definition of nonunion made by the FDA is a fracture that persists for a minimum of 9 months without signs of healing for three months.

What causes atrophic nonunion?

Atrophic nonunion This is usually due to impaired bony healing, for example due to vascular causes (e.g. impaired blood supply to the bone fragments) or metabolic causes (e.g. diabetes or smoking). Failure of initial union, as when bone fragments are separated by soft tissue, may also lead to an atrophic non-union.

What is the difference between malunion and nonunion?

A malunion occurs when a fractured bone heals in an abnormal position, which can lead to impaired function of the bone or limb and make it look like it is ‘bent’. Similarly, a nonunion is the result of a fractured bone failing to heal after an extended period of time – in some cases over a period of 9 to 12 months.

What is a non-union company?

adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Non-union workers do not belong to a trade union or labor union. A non-union company or organization does not employ workers who belong to a trade union or labor union. [business] The company originally intended to reopen the factory with non-union workers.

What does bony union mean?

When a bone breaks or fractures (broken and fractured means exactly the same thing), healing of the bone usually takes a few months to occur. A bone is considered healed or “united” when it is strong enough to allow normal activities. Depending on many factors, this can take as little as 4 weeks or as long as 6 months.

When is fracture considered nonunion?

When a fractured bone is not healed and there is little chance it will heal without further surgery, the fracture is then considered to be a “nonunion”.

What is a viable non-union?

In fracture nonunion, the fracture has not healed and, without surgical intervention, will not heal. The causes are the same as those of delayed union. Nonunion fractures have been classified by Weber and Cech as either viable (vascular) or nonviable (avascular).

What causes non union?

Causes. Nonunions happen when the bone lacks adequate stability, blood flow, or both. They also are more likely if the bone breaks from a high-energy injury, such as from a car wreck, because severe injuries often impair blood supply to the broken bone.

Can a nonunion be fixed?

Besides grafting bone to the fracture site, the nonunion is also usually stabilized during a surgical procedure. The stabilization can be done internally, by using metal plates and screws attached to the bone or by placing a rod in the inside canal of the bone.

What is atrophic non-union and how is it treated?

Failure of initial union, for example when bone fragments are separated by soft tissue may also lead to atrophic non-union. Atrophic non-union can be treated by improving fixation, removing the end layer of bone to provide raw ends for healing, and the use of bone grafts.

What is the financial impact of fracture and non-union?

Non-unions are difficult to treat and have a high financial impact. Indirect costs, such as productivity losses, are the key driver for the overall costs in fracture and non-union patients.

What causes non-union of the two ends of a broken bone?

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)

What are established nonunions and how are they characterized?

Established nonunions can be characterised in terms of biologic capacity, deformity, presence or absence of infection, and host status.

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