McLeod Orthopedic Traumatologists diagnose and treat the following conditions:

• Acetabulum Fractures
• Complex Fracture Dislocations
• Limb Deformity Reconstruction
• Long Bone and Periarticular Fractures
• Malunions and Nonunions
• Musculoskeletal wounds
• Pelvic Ring Injuries
• Peri-Prosthetic Fracture Care
• Segmental Bone Defects

Orthopedic trauma often occurs suddenly, as the result of a fall or car accident. It can also happen over time, by overuse, such as a stress fracture. In most cases, after orthopedic intervention a fracture will heal with excellent alignment and hopefully with return of normal or near normal function. However, there are complications that can occur in the healing process that can result in the bone not healing properly or not healing at all, leading to a nonunion or a malunion.

We refer to these types of improperly healed bones as orthopedic “cold” trauma because they stem from injuries in the past.

A nonunion is when a fracture does not completely heal, and a malunion is when a bone does not heal with acceptable alignment and can result in loss of function or cosmetic deformity. Both nonunions and malunions can leave individuals with instability, weakness, pain or loss of function.

Determining if you have a nonunion or malunion that may benefit from orthopedic intervention requires evaluation and consultation with an orthopedic trauma surgeon.