Quote from: boklecrt on August 07, 2022, 02:10:49 AMyou have an interesting thought process
given these two choices - death or limping, i personally would choose limping
why do you think non union automatically means "life long limping"
non union is not a difficult complication to heal - if caught on time. if you get Xrays every 2-3 weeks it can be caught quite early and treated immediately
risk factors for non union:
1. extending too fast - lifelivetaller's 1.5mm-2mm a day extending protocols as an example
2. extending too early after osteotomy - minimum 7-10 days for the blood clot from the first surgery to become a rubbery bloodless callus that can be pulled apart like a bubble gum
3. doctor using only a hammer without a chisel and completely shattering the bones in the osteotomy leading to a bunch of small fragments instead of one clean break
4. lack of sleep due to stress and discomfort and pain
5. not enough calories due to lack of appetite
6. not enough protein that builds the callus
7. not enough calcium that builds the callus
8. drinking alcohol - vasoconstrictor
9. smoking cigarettes - impairs healing
10. age - older you are the slower you heal
11. having underlying chronic diseases - aids, autoimmune stuff, diabetes, etc - 99% of doctors wont operate on you if any of these are present
Hello, I am new to this site but you seem to be very knowledgeable.
What did you mean that a non union is not difficult to heal? I was told that the only way to heal it is via bone grafting and if that doesn't succeed, permanent limp or amputation it is.
Also, do we have a recorded case of a non union in LL of a healthy person that never healed despite the proper distraction rate?
Thanks.