Nonunion of the Femur and Tibia: An Update

Anthony Bell; David Templeman; John C Weinlein

doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2015.09.010

Nonunion of the Femur and Tibia: An Update

Orthop Clin North Am. 2016 Apr;47(2):365-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.09.010.

Authors

Anthony Bell¹, David Templeman², John C Weinlein³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Ambulatory Care Center, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, 2nd Floor, 655 West 8th Street, C126, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.
² Department of Orthopaedics, Hennepin County Medical Center, University of Minnesota, 701 Park Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA. Electronic address: templ015@umn.edu.
³ Regional One Health, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN, USA.

PMID: 26772945
DOI: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.09.010

Abstract

Delayed union and nonunion of tibial and femoral shaft fractures are common orthopedic problems. Numerous publications address lower extremity long bone nonunions. This review presents current trends and recent literature on the evaluation and treatment of nonunions of the tibia and femur. New studies focused on tibial nonunion and femoral nonunion are reviewed. A section summarizing recent treatment of atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate therapy is also included.

Keywords: Atypical femur fractures; Bisphosphonates; Bone grafting; Dynamization; Exchange nailing; Femoral nonunion; Nonunion; Tibial nonunion.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
Bone Transplantation
Femoral Fractures / diagnosis
Femoral Fractures / surgery*
Fracture Fixation, Internal
Fractures, Ununited / diagnosis*
Fractures, Ununited / etiology*
Fractures, Ununited / surgery
Humans
Tibial Fractures / diagnosis
Tibial Fractures / surgery*

Substances

Bone Density Conservation Agents