Condition
Non-union or mal-union of fracture
Non-union of a fracture occurs when the ends of a broken bone fail to heal.
There can be several reasons for non-union including lack of stability (holding the broken ends together) or decreased blood flow to the area.
Other factors that can contribute to non-union of a fracture include:
- Smoking
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Some medications
- Infection.
In mal-union of a fracture, your bones have healed but they are not lined up properly. This can cause a shortening or a twist or rotation of the bone. Mal-union can also be caused by lack of stability or trauma to the area during healing.
An x-ray will be necessary to confirm non-union or mal-union of a fracture.