Open AccessNonunion in a distal radius metaphyseal fracture in a child
Author(s) -
Seshadri Raju,
Vijay Sriram,
Balakumar Balachandran
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
indian journal of orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.434
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1998-3727
pISSN - 0019-5413
DOI - 10.4103/0019-5413.143919
Subject(s) - nonunion , medicine , distraction , delayed union , bone healing , surgery , distraction osteogenesis , bony union , soft tissue , neuroscience , internal fixation , biology
We present an adolescent with distal radius nonunion following an open fracture and failed surgery which eventually united when the length and stability was restored for eight weeks duration. The intact periosteal sleeve at the nonunion site formed new bone when its tension was restored by gradual differential distraction. This case report highlights the possibility of stimulating bony union in an established atrophic nonunion by distracting the minimally disturbed soft tissue and thick osteogenic periosteal envelope in the paediatric age group.