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Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
Fracture healing in the elderly: A review
Bradley A Foulke1, Adrian R Kendal1, David W Murray1
1Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford University, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
Abstract:
Older patients are commonly at a higher risk of experiencing a bone fracture. Complications during fracture healing, including delayed union and non-union, can arise as a result of a multitude of patient and treatment factors. This review describes those factors which contribute to a greater risk of delayed union and non-union with particular reference to the elderly population and discusses therapies that may enhance the fracture healing process in the hope of reducing the incidence of delayed union and non-union. Increasing age does seem to increase the risk of delayed union or non-union. In addition, smoking and the treatment of post-fracture pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) put the patient at the greatest risk, while ultrasound therapy appears to be a non-invasive, effective treatment option to reduce the risk of delayed union or non-union. The use of growth factors and of stem cells and the role of surgery are also discussed.
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