Everything You Need to Know About Pseudoarthrosis
When the fracture occurs in any part of our body, it gets healed naturally with time. Though, the realignment of fractured bone fragments either surgically or non-surgically is required to ensure proper healing. But sometimes, what happens is that fractured bone fragments do not union properly even after giving enough time to heal and remain moveable. This condition is known as “Pseudoarthrosis.” Surgical fixation of this condition may require the use of orthopedic implants like Supracondylar Nailing System, Bone Plates & Screws, or orthopedic bolts.
Pseudoarthrosis is known to be common in adults and occurs after surgery. This condition is also known as “false joint” as the fracture resembles a fibrous joint structurally.
What are the Causes of Pseudoarthrosis?
Despite several studies, the exact cause of Pseudoarthrosis is unknown, but there are certain risk factors associated with the condition:
Patient’s Health
People who consume alcohol, smoke, poor nutrition, or suffering from hyperparathyroidism have a high risk of developing pseudoarthrosis as all these factors slow down the healing process. Plus, the chances of developing this condition are also high in elderly people.
Fracture Related Issue
If the fractured area does not get a proper blood supply or gets infected, then also it could lead to pseudoarthrosis. Besides this, if there is damage to the surrounding muscles, then also the fracture will not heal properly.
Improper Treatment
If the fixation devices used for the treatment of fracture are not applied properly or the patient does not take proper rest as advised, then also the chances of developing pseudoarthrosis become high.
What are the Symptoms of Pseudoarthrosis?
Below-mentioned are some of the common symptoms seen in the case of pseudoarthrosis:
- Persistent pain at the fracture site
- Lack of mobility
- Clicking at the site of the fracture
- Redness around the fractured area
Diagnosis of Pseudoarthrosis
Pseudoarthrosis is diagnosed when the fracture does not show any healing progress in imaging tests after giving proper time to heal. This is generally done 6 to 8 months after fracture fixation. For this, the doctor will suggest an X-ray examination. But before that, the physical examination may also be done to notice the difficulties the patient is facing in the movement of the affected site. Sometimes, an MRI scan may also be indicated to get a better look at the fractured site.
Treatment of Pseudoarthrosis
Depending upon the condition of the fracture, pseudoarthrosis can be treated in several ways. Let us have a look at some of the most commonly used treatment procedures:
Electric Stimulation
In this method, a special device is used that produces electromagnetic or ultrasound waves at a controlled rate. These waves stimulate the formation of hydroxyapatite structures by bone cells.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is generally done when the tests performed show a gap between fractured bone fragments. This method is also proven effective in healing pseudoarthrosis conditions. In the case of bone grafting, a graft may be taken from a donor or the patient itself.
Surgical Fixation
When the above two methods of treatment are not considered good enough, surgical fixation using trauma implants like Bone Plates, Supracondylar Bolts & Nails, or Orthopedic Screws is the best option left. This stabilizes the fractured bone fragments while allowing them to heal.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of Orthopaedic Implants and Instruments. Plus, the company also supplies its ISO standard quality implants to clients present all across the globe.