Osseous union in cases of non-union in long bones treated by osteosynthesis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of osseous union in cases of nonunion of long bones managed by open reduction and compression plating. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between November, 2003 and June, 2005, 53 patients with nonunion of long bones were treated by open reduction and internal fixation and followed up. The follow up period for each case was 6 months. Immediate post- operative x-ray was done in each case. Patients were seen in the post- operative period at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months. At each visit, clinical and radiological assessments were done. RESULT The male to female ratio was 3:2, and the average age at presentation was 39.7 years (range: 19-64years). The average time from injury to presentation was 19.98 months (range: 6-132months). The commonest bone involved was the humerus (18), followed by the femur (17), the Tibia (11), the ulna (5), and the radius (2). Osseous union was achieved in 44 patients (83%). There was no significant difference in incidence of osseous union among the various bones. It was observed that previous infection at the fracture site adversely affected osseous union. CONCLUSION The management of nonunion in long bones by compression plating was found to be satisfactory.