malunion of fracture

Pathology

• may result in a bone being shorter than normal, twisted or rotated in a suboptimal position, or bent
• multiple deformities are present in the same malunion
• can occur in areas where a fracture has displaced the surface of a joint
  • cartilage in the joint is no longer smooth
  • post-traumatic arthritis
  • degeneration of joint

Management

• osteotomy at or near the site of the original fracture
• fixation of the bone at the osteotomy site

More general terms

• bone fracture