Overview
About Non-Union and Delayed Union Treatment
A delayed union occurs when a fracture takes longer than expected to heal. A non-union is declared when a fracture shows no signs of progressive healing after 6 months. Causes include inadequate blood supply, infection, poor nutrition, smoking, diabetes, inadequate fixation, or excessive movement at the fracture site. Treatment typically involves surgical revision with improved fixation, bone grafting, and biologic stimulation to restart the healing process.
Key Benefits
Accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of non-union guides correct treatment
Surgical revision with bone grafting restarts the healing process effectively
Rigid fixation eliminates the movement preventing healing
Biologic agents (BMP, PRP) can enhance healing in resistant cases
High success rate — most non-unions heal successfully with appropriate treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my fracture is a non-union?
Signs include persistent pain at the fracture site beyond the expected healing time, an abnormal feeling of movement or instability at the fracture, and X-rays showing no progressive healing after several months.
What causes non-union?
Common causes include inadequate blood supply to the fracture, infection, excessive movement at the fracture site, poor nutrition, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, diabetes, and prior inadequate fixation. Often multiple factors combine.
Does smoking really affect fracture healing?
Yes — significantly. Smoking reduces blood flow to the fracture site and impairs the bone-forming cells. Smokers have 3–4 times higher risk of non-union. Stopping smoking dramatically improves healing prospects.
What is bone grafting?
Bone grafting involves taking bone from another part of the body (usually the pelvis) or using processed bone from a bone bank, and placing it at the non-union site. The graft provides structural support and biological signals that stimulate bone formation.
What is the success rate of non-union surgery?
With correct diagnosis, appropriate surgical technique, and good bone grafting, non-union surgery has an 85–95% success rate for achieving bone union. Multiple attempts may occasionally be needed.