There are many reasons why fractures may not heal including:
Immobilization-conservative first round treatment for fractures
- ends of the bone are too far apart to grow back together
- so much damage to or loss of blood supply around fracture
- ‘reduction’ alignment of fracture ends is poor
- infection
Naturally medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and anemia can contribute to ‘delayed’ slow or non-union. Lifestyle can contributes negatively from smoking, excessive alcohol intake.
Over doing the OTC anti-inflammatories and NSAIDs can decrease the inflammatory reaction as bone tries to get together. Inflammation is the first stage of bone healing (followed by ‘reparative’, and ‘remodeling’). Prescription immunosuppressants, and anticoagulants can also slow bone Every couple weeks an X-Ray is taken to see progress, if after 90 days there is no (‘non-union’) or poor fracture healing (‘delayed’) further treatment methods are necessary.
External Bone Stimulator Device
Treatment recommendations may include a bone stimulator application to fracture site daily. Placing the fracture site within the electronic ‘cage’ borders for 30′ daily (up to 12 weeks in difficult fractures) has been proven (insurance pays for this) to heal fractures.
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