4. Discussion

Abstract

The treatment of infected osteosyntheses aims at two goals: union of the fracture and healing of the infection. These two goals often require contradictory actions, and the result of treatment of the infection by the removal of the implants compromises bone healing. The treatment of the fracture by leaving the implants in situ, or sometimes even performing a repeat osteosynthesis results in bony union but by paying the price of a long lasting infection which rarely ever heals before all implants can be removed [45]. Since both treatment regimes cure the infection in the long run, the treatment should primarily be directed towards the problem of bone repair. Just as in the healing process of the noninfected fracture, the biologic reaction of bone to mechanical influences may play an important role in the case of local infection [79]. For this reason we have concentrated in these experiments on the influence of the local infection on the biomechanics of the healing fracture.