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Evaluation and Treatment of Nonunions in the Osteoporotic Patient

  • Geriatric Orthopedics (EG Meinberg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Nonunions in osteoporotic patients are rare, but the incidence of fragility fractures is increasing, and therefore they will increase over the years. History of the evolution of the nonunion as well as its treatment are of paramount importance in understanding its etiology. Evaluating patient comorbidities and habits as well as a complete physical exam, including soft tissue conditions, deformities and joint stiffness, will help to achieve treatment goals. During evaluation, the use of all x rays, full-length films and laboratory tests to rule out infection will help to plan the surgery and to have all the necessary elements for success. Treatment using the biological chamber and diamond concepts, including the signaling molecules or growth factors, osteoprogenitor cells, extracelluar matrix as scaffold and mechanical stability, are the key elements for success.

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Conflict of Interest

Rodrigo F. Pesántez has received payment for lectures, including service on speakers bureaus from the AO Foundation.

Carlos Mario Olarte has received payment for lectures, including service on speakers bureaus from the AO Foundation.

Julián Salavarrieta declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Avenida 9 # 116 – 20 Consultorio 820, Bogotá, Colombia

    Rodrigo F. Pesántez & Julián Salavarrieta

  2. Hospital Infantil de San José, Avenida 9 # 116 – 20 Consultorio 820, Bogotá, Colombia

    Carlos Mario Olarte

Authors
  1. Rodrigo F. Pesántez
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  2. Carlos Mario Olarte
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  3. Julián Salavarrieta
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Correspondence to Rodrigo F. Pesántez.

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Pesántez, R.F., Olarte, C.M. & Salavarrieta, J. Evaluation and Treatment of Nonunions in the Osteoporotic Patient. Curr Geri Rep 3, 128–134 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-014-0083-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-014-0083-8

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