Non-unions are a serious complication of orthopaedic surgery. They are characterized by a fracture that fails to heal and often cause the affected patient to require a long diagnostic and therapeutic path of prolonged hospitalizations, numerous surgeries that are often non-resolving and serious disability with functional loss of the limb involved.

Non-unions, when simple or not characterized by loss of bone substance or other complications like sepsis or severe mortification of the soft tissues, can be treated with traditional techniques such as the application of external fixation, the change of osteosynthesis, osteotomies and, in certain cases, through the use of the most modern biotechnologies in monotherapy.

FIG. 1

Hypertrophic diaphyseal ulna non-union requires stability in order to heal.

The application of axial external fixation can provide the stability needed for bone fusion in this situation.

FIG. 2

Distal tibia non-union treated through the removal of the previous synthesis methods, completely insufficient for obtaining correct stability of the foci and new osteosynthesis with a plate and screws using traditional techniques.

FIG. 3

Femoral neck non-union with associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated using Pauwels osteotomy.

The vertical non-union fissure is made horizontally, healing the patient.

FIG. 4

Consecutive x-rays of a tibial non-union after dynamization of the intramedullary rod and the application of growth factors (rh-BMP-7) in monotherapy.

Complete healing in 12 months.