False Joint

Pseudarthrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

A false joint is a condition in which the ends of a broken or destroyed bone do not fuse together, but instead form a semblance of a joint. Fracture nonunion can occur for a variety of reasons, including muscle or other tissue getting caught between the fragments, large displacement of the fragments, loss of a large area of ​​skin, and disruption of the blood supply to the fragments. Most often, a false joint forms on the lower leg after a fracture of both bones.

The main symptoms of pseudarthrosis are dysfunction of the limb, pain in the pseudarthrosis area, the presence of abnormal mobility at the level of the lower leg, thigh, etc. The diagnosis of pseudarthrosis is usually made on the basis of x-ray examination.

Treatment of a false joint is carried out by a specialist - a traumatologist or orthopedist. The main method of treatment is surgery, which achieves strong fastening of the fragments and their fusion. Plastic surgeries are widely used, including transplantation of the patient’s own bone, as well as fastening bone fragments with various metal or plastic structures. Some structures are left in the tissues forever, while others are removed after fusion occurs and the pseudarthrosis is eliminated.

For the treatment of pseudarthrosis, the latest medical devices are widely used, which make it possible to press bone fragments against each other for their speedy fusion and at the same time eliminate the shortening of the limb. When using such devices, the patient can walk, leaning on the sore leg from the first days after the operation. Surgical treatment of a pseudarthrosis, as a rule, leads to success, which, however, largely depends on the patience and endurance of the patient, since postoperative treatment usually takes a long time (up to a year or more).

In some cases, when the pseudarthrosis does not cause pain and little disruption of function, and also if surgery is contraindicated for any reason, it is recommended to wear one or another orthopedic device. Prevention of pseudarthrosis consists of strictly following the doctor’s instructions when treating fractures. Particularly unacceptable is unauthorized, premature removal of the plaster cast by the patient himself, who has been discharged from the hospital for follow-up treatment at home and in the clinic.

In conclusion, pseudarthrosis is a serious disease that requires timely and qualified treatment. Surgical treatment is the main method, but plastic surgery and the latest medical devices are also used. With proper treatment and patience of the patient, complete fusion of bone fragments and restoration of limb function can be achieved. However, as in all cases of treatment, it is important to follow the recommendations of doctors and not neglect preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of pseudarthrosis.