Nonunions

Nonunion is the condition where your broken bones fail to heal in a stipulated amount of time. Normally, new bone tissue forms around the fracture. Any block in the blood supply or lack of stability of your bone can interfere with this healing process. Nonunion is characterized by pain lasting many months or years, and may be constant or occur only when the injured part is used.

Treatment may include use of a bone stimulator (a small device that creates ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves) placed on the skin, over the nonunion to stimulate bone repair. When conservative measures fail, you may be recommended surgical repair, which may include bone grafts (bone cells transplanted from another part of the body), internal fixation (metal screws and plates placed on the bone to hold it in place), or external fixation (rigid frame fixed from the outside to hold the bones together).