What is non-growth of bones after fractures
Most uncomplicated bone fractures heal in their physiological time, which varies slightly depending on the anatomical site, but is up to 16 weeks at most.
Unconsolidated fractures or fractures with the formation of false joints are a condition that occurs when, for various reasons:
- the bone does not fuse in standard physiological terms
- and a joint-type joint is formed at the fracture site
- the edges of the fracture fragments are sclerosed,
- connective fibrous tissue grows and further consolidation of the fracture becomes impossible.
Why don't bones fuse in time?
Many different conditions and reasons can prevent the physiological fusion of bones. The most common of them are:
- the presence of concomitant pathology that worsens the compensatory properties of the body
- diabetes
- acute and chronic viral hepatitis
- oncological diseases
- kidney/hepatic failure
- receiving immunosuppressive therapy
- rheumatological diseases
- the presence of pronounced osteoporotic changes
- vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- congenital features of connective tissue
- development of chronic infectious processes, such as osteomyelitis
- the nature of the injury itself
- fire fracture with the presence of small fragments
- significant bone structure defect
- trophic disorders of the fracture site due to damage by fragments of vessels and nerves
- displacement of the bone and the need for long-term use of an external fixation device
- individual reaction of the body to osteometallosynthesis of fractures
It is classified as false due to the fact that the articular surfaces and mobility of the injured area were not anatomically expected at this point. Most often, this process will concern the large tubular bones of our limbs. The formation of false joints is a difficult situation for the patient in the context of rehabilitation and restoration of the full range of mobility of the limb. That is why the sooner the formation of a false joint is qualitatively diagnosed and the correct qualified assistance of a traumatologist of the Rudenko Medical Center is provided, the more prognostically favorable course awaits the patient in the future.
Violations of fracture consolidation are distinguished by several types:
- A slowly consolidating fracture – when there are signs of healing, but it takes longer than the standard expected
- Necrotic - with the formation of osteonecrosis cells due to impaired vascularization of the bone
- According to the type of bone regenerate - the growth of bone tissue with the help of skeletal extraction
- True - neo\pseudoarthrosis
According to the type of bone callus growth in the fracture area, the following are distinguished:
- Hypertrophic or excessive - causes instability of the bone at the level of the fracture
- Atrophic means insufficient callus formation
- Oligotrophic - the absence of callus formation is observed
- Infected - indicates the presence of a bacterial inflammatory process at the level of the fracture
Atrophic and oligotrophic growth of bone callus will require additional use of bone growth stimulants, and an infected one requires long-term antibiotic therapy to eliminate the focus of infection, which not only slows down healing, but is also a threat to the development of osteomyelitis.
How are fractures with impaired consolidation treated at the Rudenko Medical Center?
First of all, it should be noted that the radical treatment of unfused fractures with formed false joints is exclusively surgical. No conservative therapy can restore the integrity of the bone at the level of already formed joint surfaces.
Rudenko Medical Center has many years of experience in treating patients with family injuries. Reconstructive surgical interventions in the development of faulty joints is a complex branch of traumatology, the issues of which are successfully solved in our center. Patients who turn to us for help receive a comprehensive approach to solving their clinical problem and are always focused on the maximum result.
In our clinic, we offer various combinations of surgical interventions based on bone transplantation. The principle of this type of surgery is based on the removal of a part of the bone with a formed false joint, feeding bone tissue-transplant from the patient himself (fragment of a rib, pelvic bone) or artificial bone, and ensuring immobilization of the operated limb. At the same time, the transplant area can be enriched with drugs that will locally stimulate the growth of bone material in the intervention area.
Rudenko Medical Center in Zaporizhzhia are professionals in the field of reconstructive traumatology, and we can confidently guarantee you a qualified and high-quality approach to any clinical problems. We help our patients with injuries of any complexity and achieve results together with them. Multimodality, adherence to global standards of medical care and many years of experience are all our advantages on the way to success.