Classification and management of nonunion of the humerus

Classification and management of tibial nonunion
definition: no evidence of healing over 3 months;
- FDA definition: frx that is over 9 months old and that has not shown radiographic signs of progression toward healing for 3 consecutive months;
- final stage of a nonunited fracture is formation of pseudoarthrosis;

Overview, classification and management of nonunion
frx of shaft of long bone should not be considered nonunion until at least 6 months post injury, esp treatment was complicated by infection;
- in contrast, a central fracture of the femoral neck can sometimes be defined as a non union after only 3 months;
- in established non union, sclerosis develops around the bone ends and medullary canals are sealed off;
- bone ends are joined by fibrous tissue;
- final stage of a nonunited fracture is formation of pseudoarthrosis

eMedicine 2004 Patel
Synonyms and related keywords: tibial delayed union, aseptic nonunion, infected nonunion, tibial fractures, fractures of the tibia, nonunions of the tibia, broken leg, leg fracture, delayed healing, hypertrophic nonunions, atrophic nonunions, normotrophic nonunions, long bone fractures