Fracture Care
Non-Union Fracture Treatment
A fracture that has not healed within the expected time is called a delayed union; when it shows no sign of healing at all after several months, it is a non-union. Non-unions cause persistent pain, instability and inability to use the limb. At Noida Orthopedic Clinic, Dr. Amit Aggrawal specialises in diagnosing why a fracture failed to heal and in surgical techniques — bone grafting, fixation revision and modern biologics — that reliably get broken bones to unite.
Why Do Some Fractures Fail to Heal?
Common causes include inadequate immobilisation or unstable fixation, gaps at the fracture site, poor blood supply (especially in the scaphoid, talus and femoral head), smoking and diabetes, infection (infected non-union), and vitamin D or calcium deficiency. Identifying and correcting the underlying cause — biological, mechanical or infectious — is the key to successful treatment.
How is a Non-Union Treated?
Treatment is tailored to the type of non-union. Hypertrophic (rich biology, poor stability) non-unions often need only re-stabilisation with a nail or plate. Atrophic (poor biology) non-unions need bone grafting — autograft from your own bone, or modern bone-graft substitutes — along with rigid fixation. Infected non-unions require a staged approach: infection control with debridement and antibiotics, followed by definitive fixation and grafting. Malunited (badly healed) fractures may need corrective osteotomy to restore alignment and function.
Recovery and Success Rates
With correct diagnosis and modern surgical techniques, the majority of non-unions achieve solid union. Healing typically takes 3–6 months after revision surgery, supported by nutrition optimization, smoking cessation and progressive loading under physiotherapy guidance.
Why Choose Noida Orthopedic Clinic
- Expert evaluation of failed fracture healing
- Bone grafting & bone-graft substitutes
- Fixation revision with nails & locking plates
- Infected non-union management
- Corrective surgery for malunion
- Nutrition & biology optimisation support
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my fracture has not healed?
Persistent pain, tenderness, abnormal movement or inability to bear weight beyond the expected healing period — confirmed by X-ray or CT scan showing an unhealed fracture line — indicates delayed or non-union.
Does smoking really delay fracture healing?
Yes. Smoking significantly reduces blood supply and oxygen delivery to the healing bone and is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for non-union. Quitting markedly improves your chances of union.
Is bone grafting painful?
Graft harvest sites can be sore for a few days to weeks, but modern techniques and effective pain control make recovery manageable, and the long-term benefit of solid healing far outweighs temporary discomfort.
Can an old non-union from years ago still be fixed?
Yes. Even long-standing non-unions can often be successfully treated with modern fixation and grafting techniques, restoring function to a limb many patients had given up on.