Fracture healing in the elderly: A review.
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.
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford University, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK. Electronic address: foulkeba@gmail.com.
Bradley A
BA
Foulke
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford University, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
Adrian R
AR
Kendal
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford University, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
David W
DW
Murray
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford University, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
Hemant
H
Pandit
D000368:Aged; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
Delayed union; Elderly; Fracture healing; Non-union