Open AccessBiological and molecular profile of fracture non‐union tissue: current insights
Author(s) -
Panteli Michalis,
Pountos Ippokratis,
Jones Elena,
Giannoudis Peter V.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.12532
Subject(s) - non union , bone healing , european union , fracture (geology) , bone tissue , medicine , biology , pathology , anatomy , surgery , international trade , business , paleontology
Delayed bone healing and non‐union occur in approximately 10% of long bone fractures. Despite intense investigations and progress in understanding the processes governing bone healing, the specific pathophysiological characteristics of the local microenvironment leading to non‐union remain obscure. The clinical findings and radiographic features remain the two important landmarks of diagnosing non‐unions and even when the diagnosis is established there is debate on the ideal timing and mode of intervention. In an attempt to understand better the pathophysiological processes involved in the development of fracture non‐union, a number of studies have endeavoured to investigate the biological profile of tissue obtained from the non‐union site and analyse any differences or similarities of tissue obtained from different types of non‐unions. In the herein study, we present the existing evidence of the biological and molecular profile of fracture non‐union tissue.