Abstract
Treatment of infected gap non-unions of tibia can be challenging. Subcutaneous bone causes susceptibility to non-responsive infection, nonunion, fibrosis, sinuses, deformities, shortening and various other sets of problems which are associated with it. Different methods of treatment have been recommended for management of infected nonunions. The first is the “conventional” or classic method. The objectives of the conventional method are to convert an infected and draining nonunion into one that has not drained for several months and to promote healing of the nonunion by bone grafting. This method of treatment often requires one or more years to complete and usually results in stiffness of adjacent joints. The objective of the second i.e. active method is to obtain bony union early and shorten the period of convalescence and preserve motion in the adjacent joints.
Highlights
Treatment of infected gap non-unions of tibia can be challenging
The objectives of the conventional method are to convert an infected and draining nonunion into one that has not drained for several months and to promote healing of the nonunion by bone grafting
Living tissue when subjected to slow steady traction becomes metabolically activated in both the biosynthetic and proliferative pathways. These principles when used with circular external fixator and an appropriately planned and managed surgery allow to achieve repair of extensive defects of bones, nerves, vessels and soft tissues without need for grafting and in one operative stage, limb lengthening, correction of long bone and joint deformities and treatment of infected non unions [3]
Summary
Treatment of infected gap non-unions of tibia can be challenging. Subcutaneous bone causes susceptibility to non-responsive infection, nonunion, fibrosis, sinuses, deformities, shortening and various other sets of problems which are associated with it. Living tissue when subjected to slow steady traction becomes metabolically activated in both the biosynthetic and proliferative pathways These principles when used with circular external fixator and an appropriately planned and managed surgery allow to achieve repair of extensive defects of bones, nerves, vessels and soft tissues without need for grafting and in one operative stage, limb lengthening, correction of long bone and joint deformities and treatment of infected non unions [3]. The conventional methods of treatment of infected gap non-unions of tibia often require prolonged time to complete and are associated with many complications like stiffness of joints, persistent deformity and limb length discrepancy. The distraction osteogenesis method has the potential to correct infection, deformity, bone and soft tissue loss and limb length discrepancy simultaneously
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
