Focus on non-union of fractures

Excerpt

Non-unions of fractures remain a clinical problem at various anatomic locations, such as the tibia, the humerus, or the scaphoid. The reasons for osseous non-unions are on the one hand a vascular hypoperfusion not allowing regular fracture healing—the so-called atrophic non-union. On the other hand, mechanical instability seems to be the other main reason for missing osseous bridging of a fracture—the so-called hypertrophic non-union. In addition, numerous endocrinological, nutritional or medicament side effects and others might contribute to delayed bone healing [1, 2]. Actually, non-union is defined, if a bone has not healed within 6–8 months after a fracture or bone defect. …