title: [Pseudarthrosis of the long bones].
abstract: 5 to 10% of all fractures present with a delayed union, whereas 1 to 5% progress to a nonunion, which can be defined as a fracture older than 6 months and lacks any potential to heal without any further intervention. Different fracture and patient related risk factors exist, and the management of a nonunion needs a thorough clinical, radiological and biological workup to classify them in one of the two main categories, the viable nonunions that need essentially more stability, usually by a more rigid fixation, and the non-viable nonunions that need essentially a biological stimulation by decortication and bone grafting. This treatment still remains the first choice with bony healing obtained in 85 to 95% of cases, but it also comes along with certain risks, and some valuable alternatives exist if chosen on the basis of rigid criteria.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thein
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chevalley
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Borens
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*