Study of clinical and radiological outcome of augmentation plating with or without bone grafting in nonunion fracture of long bone with IMN in situ

Objectives: This study aims to study the outcome of plate augmentation with or without bone grafting in long bone non-unions with IMN in situ.

Design: Prospective clinical study with 9 months of follow-up.

Methods: Clinically proven 30 patients with atrophic or oligotrophic nonunion long bone fractures were included in study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria after getting written and informed consent, treated by augmentation plating with or without bone grafting. Patient progress was monitored at regular intervals through X-ray examinations and clinical evaluation with the Wu scoring system.

Result: Out of 30 patients, 29 patients achieved bony union at an average time of 4.9 months (range: 3.5 to 7 months), as assessed by Wu's score. The outcomes were rated as excellent in 9 cases (30%) and good in 13 cases (44%), and 7 cases showed fair result, with 1 persistent nonunion.

Conclusion: Augmentation plating with or without bone grafting provide a safe and reliable method of effective treatment of nonunited long bone fractures.