Posttraumatic pseudarthroses--an analysis of development and treatment

The results of the analysis of 339 pseudarthroses in 326 patients are reported. We reviewed the aetiology and previous therapy of patients with pseudarthroses, their X-ray, case reports and assessed them clinically. We noticed instability as an important aetiological factor for development of non union, especially in combination with a bone infection. The evidence of failures due to a inadequate implant or due to an inadequate surgical technique is shown. Further aetiological factors are discussed. Our principles of treatment of pseudarthroses are outlined. The first principle is to achieve stability by operative procedure. The second is to indicate correctly bone grafting. The third principle concerns infected non unions in which extensive surgical revision is necessary. By carrying out this therapy we achieved bone healing in 95.4% of non infected pseudarthroses and in 86.8% of infected pseudarthroses.