NONUNION OF THE SHAFTS OF LONG BONES.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bone Transplantation↗
SEARCH · PubMed Health
Results for “FRACTURES, UNUNITED”
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Treatment of infected nonunion of the tibia through the posterolateral approach.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Fractures, Ununited↗
Humeral shaft nonunion treated by a Seidel interlocking nail with a supplementary staple.
Thirty-two adult patients with humeral shaft nonunions were treated with Seidel interlocking nails, and 6 of these 32 patients required an added staple. The indication for inserting a staple was rotational instability, despite use of a distal spreading screw. All 6 patients with nonunions were followed for at least 1 year (median, 1.5 years), and all experienced a solid union. The union period was a median of 5 months, with a range of 3 to 7 months. No complications were noted. The author believes that all humeral shaft nonunions may be treated by a Seidel interlocking nail with or without a staple supplementation and cancellous bone graft. The technique is simple, and its results are satisfactory. Predrilling the cortices of both fragments is key to successful insertion of a staple.
Adult↗
Treatment of nonunion of the humerus using the Ilizarov external fixator.
Ilizarov's method of monofocal compression was used in 30 humeri with a diaphyseal pseudarthrosis. Twenty-one patients had previous surgery but had loosening of the osteosynthesis material. Nine patients initially were treated with a hanging cast, resulting in interfragmentary distraction. Fourteen nonunions were hypertrophic, and 16 were atrophic, of which six were infected. A complete circular frame was used only in the first nine patients, whereas the remaining 21 patients were treated with the modified semicircular fixator. Union was obtained in all but two patients, with an average consolidation time of 4.5 months (range, 2.5-10 months). No patient required additional bone grafting. Apart from superficial pin tract infection seen in most of the patients, three had a minor temporary sensory neurologic problem. Four patients experienced a second fracture after removal of the fixator that required a second application of an Ilizarov frame. Although similar results with regard to union are reported after plate osteosynthesis, there was no radial nerve palsy or deep infection in this series, indicating that the treatment by the Ilizarov technique is associated with less complications. The authors' findings suggest that the Ilizarov method is a reliable treatment for humeral nonunions, even after multiple previous operations or in the event of infection.
Adolescent↗
Operative treatment of nonunions about the elbow.
Nonunions about the elbow present a great challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. Recent advances have enabled the surgeon to achieve much improved results. The current study outlines the treatment of nonunions of the distal humerus, proximal ulna (including olecranon, Monteggia, and coronoid nonunions), and radial head and neck nonunions. The historic problems of treating these nonunions included the use of inadequate fixation, the poor understanding of the role of soft tissue surgery in the treatment of the stiff elbow, and the failure of previous postoperative rehabilitation protocols. Advances made in the techniques of soft tissue treatment, modern methods of stable internal fixation, and early postoperative rehabilitation all have made an exceptional difference in the surgeon's ability to treat these most complex problems. The current study will provide the reader with a greater understanding of nonunions about the elbow, clinical and technical details for their treatment, and the expected results after treatment.
Arthroplasty, Replacement↗
Salvage of humeral nonunions with onlay bone plate allograft augmentation.
Eight women and one man were treated for 10 established diaphyseal humeral nonunions. Six patients sustained fractures in motor vehicle accidents and two patients sustained fractures in a fall. Two of the fractures were open. One patient with multiple myeloma originally was treated conservatively and received local radiation, followed by open reduction and internal plate fixation. The other patients previously were treated with fracture braces, intramedullary nails, dynamic compression plates, or a combination of these techniques. After removal of the surgical hardware and fibrous tissue at the nonunion site, stable fixation was accomplished using a cortical long bone plate allograft (femoral and tibial) or fibular shaft allograft and a dynamic compression plate. All humeral nonunions had united at an average of 2.9 months. Radiographic incorporation of the allograft cortical bone plate and fibular shaft into the host cortex occurred in all but one patient by 3 months. Graft to host junction healing was accomplished by incorporation of the cortical allograft plate into the host cortex, resulting in an increased diameter of the bone. Cortical allograft bone plates and fibular grafts provide structural and probably osteoinductive support to enhance healing of these nonunions.
Adult↗
Osteosynthesis for nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle.
The treatment of established nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle is controversial. Twenty patients who had osteosynthesis of the nonunion were evaluated to clarify the changes in range of motion and the factors influencing those changes. The average age of the patients at surgery was 13.6 years (range, 6-25 years). The average duration of followup was 8.8 years. Outcome was rated as excellent in seven patients and good in 13 patients according to the score of Broberg and Morrey. In five of the 20 patients, the preoperative range of motion was limited and their motion improved an average of 35 degrees as a result of surgery. In the remaining 15 patients, the range of motion did not change or was reduced an average of 19 degrees postoperatively. Of the 15 patients, 11 had Milch Type II injuries and four had Milch Type I injuries. In the 11 patients with Milch Type II injuries, the loss of range of motion postoperatively averaged 13 degrees. However, in the four patients with Milch Type I injuries, loss of range of motion postoperatively averaged 21 degrees. Complications such as delayed union, nonunion, or infection occurred in five patients. The main factors influencing the results of osteosynthesis are the age of the patient, the preoperative symptoms, and the postoperative complications.
Adolescent↗
Nonunions of the humerus.
Humerus fractures comprise 5% to 8% of all fractures. Nonunions are uncommon, but when they occur, they present a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon and often are debilitating to patients. There are risk factors that may predispose patients to nonunion. Many methods of treating these nonunions have been described with varying degrees of success. We review the literature concerning the treatment of proximal, midshaft, and distal humeral nonunions and describe our treatment protocol based on the literature.
Bone Transplantation↗
Open reduction and internal fixation of delayed union and nonunion of the distal humerus.
Nonunion of a condylar fracture of the distal humerus rarely occurs, but when present it is difficult to manage. We recommend internal fixation of the nonunion in combination with decortication and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting along with careful selection and placement of the implant. Postoperatively, the goal is preservation of elbow motion until the nonunion heals. We reviewed the cases of five patients who had surgery for nonunion of this fracture, all of which healed within 2-3 months after surgery. At final follow-up their average arc of motion was 88 degrees.
Adult↗
Treatment of delayed and nonunions of the humeral shaft using the Seidel locking nail: a preliminary report of five cases.
We report the treatment of five cases of delayed/or nonunions of the humerous using the Seidel locking nail. Union occurred in all cases despite two distal unscrewings. Shoulder motion was pain free, with slightly restricted abduction. No subacromial impingement occurred. Elbow motion was slightly limited in extension in two elderly patients, most likely because of previous immobilization. This method of treatment therefore seems to be of value because it avoids iatrogenic risk to the radial nerve and the possible need for bone grafting.
Adult↗
Management of humeral nonunion after the failure of locking intramedullary nails.
We reviewed 21 cases of humeral nonunion following the failure of "locking" humeral nails. The nails had been inserted as the primary operative procedure following humeral fracture in fifteen cases or after the failure of closed treatment in six cases. Reconstruction after the failure of these implants was complicated by poor bone stock and difficulty in achieving union. Although technically difficult, open reduction and internal fixation with plating and bone grafting (successful in nine of nine cases) was more consistent than exchange nailing (successful in four of 10 cases) in achieving union (p = 0.01). Two patients refused further surgical intervention. The degree of bone loss associated with a loose nail, the lack of success of exchange nailing, and the insertion site morbidity associated with humeral nail removal differentiate these nonunions from similar lower extremity problems. The degree of bone loss following failed locking nailing of the humerus is a major concern, and exchange nailing alone may not be an acceptable option to deal with this problem.
Adolescent↗
Management of humeral nonunion after the failure of locking intramedullary nails.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Bone Nails↗
The spiral compression plate for proximal humeral shaft nonunion: a case report and description of a new technique.
We present a case of humeral nonunion managed with a dynamic compression plate (DCP) contoured in a spiral fashion to preserve the deltoid muscle insertion. A forty-one-year-old woman sustained a closed proximal third humeral shaft fracture with an associated supraclavicular brachial plexus injury. She presented five months later with an atrophic nonunion of the proximal humeral shaft, inferior subluxation of the humeral head, and a resolving brachial plexopathy. Autogenous cancellous bone grafting and open reduction and internal fixation with a narrow DCP was performed. The deltoid muscle insertion was preserved by contouring the plate to fix the proximal humerus laterally over the greater tuberosity and anteriorly over the mid-humeral shaft. During the postoperative period, the humeral head reduced spontaneously. Five months after surgery, the fracture healed, and an excellent clinical result was achieved. We recommend the use of the spiral DCP for proximal shaft fractures and nonunions when preservation of the deltoid insertion is desirable.
Adult↗
High success rate with exchange nailing to treat tibial shaft aseptic nonunion.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary↗
Nonunion of a pediatric lateral condyle fracture without ulnar nerve palsy: sixty-year follow-up.
Displaced lateral condyle fractures in the pediatric population are usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Significant complications associated with the nonoperative management include nonunion, malunion, deformity, and tardy ulnar nerve palsy. However, few cases of nonunion of the lateral condyle and tardy ulnar nerve palsy with long-term follow-up have been reported. We present a radiographically documented case of a pediatric lateral condyle fracture and subsequent nonunion with significant cubitus valgus deformity without ulnar nerve palsy sixty years following injury.
Aged↗
Closed interlocking nailing of humeral shaft fractures with the Russell-Taylor nail.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of the Russell-Taylor humeral nail in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective with a mean radiologic and clinical follow-up at thirty-two months. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Total of thirty-seven patients treated with the Russell-Taylor humeral nail. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with the Russell-Taylor humeral nail inserted in an antegrade fashion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiologic union and shoulder function in terms of pain, power, range of movement, and activities of daily living. RESULTS: There were four established nonunions and four cases of delayed union (time to union > four months). Age of patient was the only predictor of nonunion. There was one infection and one intraoperative fracture. Two prominent proximal screws required removal, and one nail was removed after union because of impingement. Three patients required manipulation under anesthesia to improve shoulder movement. At review, six patients had residual poor shoulder function as per Constant score, four attributable to shoulder stiffness and two to residual pain. CONCLUSION: The authors' findings indicate a significant rate of delayed or nonunion in the elderly patient. When the high rate of union with conservative treatment is considered, the indications and rationale for intramedullary humeral nailing should be clearly defined.
Adult↗
Humeral shaft nonunion: evaluation of uniform surgical repair in fifty-one patients.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a standardized treatment of aseptic humeral shaft nonunions results in union after one operation without substantial complications. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Between 1975 and 1998, fifty-eight patients sustained a humeral shaft fracture that resulted in an aseptic nonunion. Fifty-one patients between the ages of twenty-three and eighty-six years (mean 50.8 years) were included and evaluated. INTERVENTION: Surgical treatment consisted of an anterolateral approach with radial nerve identification and subsequent neurolysis, decortication, compression plating, and frequent application of autogenous bone grafts. No immobilization with brace or cast after treatment was functional. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success rate of nonunion repair, reinterventions, complications, range of motion, patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After one year, consolidation was apparent in all cases. All but two patients had an essentially normal range of motion of the shoulder and elbow, and 96 percent rated their result as excellent or good. After nonunion repair, two patients had a transient sensory neuropathy of the radial nerve. In one patient, a second intervention was needed after a fall from bed one week after the index operation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that our standard surgical procedure for treatment of nonunion of the humeral shaft is reliable and achieves consolidation in one procedure without significant complications.
Adult↗
Outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of surgical neck nonunions of the humerus.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of open reduction and internal fixation of nonunions of the surgical neck of the humerus. DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients who underwent operative treatment of a surgical neck of the humerus nonunion. SETTING: Shoulder and elbow service at two university centers. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients with a two-part nonunion of the surgical neck of the humerus who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with bone graft with a minimum of 12 months' follow-up were included. Patients with avascular necrosis, posttraumatic arthritis, severe humeral head bone loss, or a nonunion of one of the two tuberosities were excluded. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation with either a blade plate or a T-plate and autogenous bone graft. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical records, operative reports, physical examination, and preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed. Outcome was assessed using Neer's criteria for the evaluation of total shoulder arthroplasty, visual analogue pain scale, range of motion, and ability to perform activities of daily living.RESULTS The results were excellent in 11 patients, satisfactory in 1 patient, and poor in 1 patient. The 11 nonunions in patients with excellent results healed within 6 months. The patient with the poor result initially had a persistent nonunion and required revision, open reduction and internal fixation, and bone grafting. This patient healed and went on to have an excellent result at final follow-up. All fractures were healed at the time of this study. Pain scores decreased from an average of 4.2 preoperatively to 1.2 postoperatively on a 5-point pain scale. Forward elevation in the scapular plane improved from 24 degrees preoperatively to 144 degrees postoperatively. All patients but one were able to attain overhead elevation. All patients were able to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, combing hair, and performing perineal care, at final follow-up. Overall satisfaction increased from an average of 1.0 to 9.4 on a 10-point visual analogue scale. CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction and internal fixation with autogenous bone graft results in excellent outcomes even in patients >65 years old and patients with significant medical problems. This treatment method offers predictable fracture healing and has a low complication rate.
Activities of Daily Living↗