• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2020

Purpose: Although exchange nailing is a standard method of treating femoral shaft nonunion, various rates of healing, ranging from 72% to 100%, have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of exchange nailing in femoral shaft nonunion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 cases of aseptic femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nailing. The mean postsurgical period of nonunion was 66.8 weeks. A nail at least 2 mm larger in diameter was selected to replace the previous nail after reaming. Distal fixation was performed using at least two interlocking screws. The success of the procedure was determined by the finding of union on simple radiographs. Possible reasons for failure were analyzed, including the location of nonunion, the type of nonunion, and the number of screws used for distal fixation. Results: Of the 30 cases, 27 achieved primary healing with the technique of exchange nailing. The average time to achieve union was 23.1 weeks (range, 13.7-36.9 weeks). The three failures involved nonunion at the isthmic level (three of 15 cases), not at the infraisthmic level (zero of 15 cases). Of eight cases of oligotrophic nonunion, two (25%) failed to heal, and of 22 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, one (4.5%) failed to heal. Of 11 cases involving two screws at the distal fixation, two (18.2%) failed to heal, and of 19 cases involving three or more screws, one (5.3%) failed to heal. None of these findings was statistically significant. Conclusions: Exchange nailing may enable successful healing in cases of aseptic nonunion of the femoral shaft. Although nonunion at the isthmic level, oligotrophic nonunion, and weaker distal fixation seemed to be associated with a higher chance of failure, further study is needed to confirm those findings.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic outcomes of distal fibular fractures and to analyze the risk factors associated with nonunion. Materials and Methods: Between January 2009 and March 2016, 13 patients who had final nonunion with ankle fracture were included. In the control group, 370 patients who had undergone bony union and removed metal implants were included. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure and had the same treatment method, ultimately achieving satisfactory open reduction results with less than 2 mm fracture gap. Surgical treatment of fracture was considered to have the same effect on nonunion, and factors that might be associated with nonunion were evaluated. SPSS ver. 13.0 (SPSS Inc., USA) was used for all statistical analyses. Pearson's chi-square test and multi-variate regression analysis were performed to determine the factors affecting nonunion of distal fibular fracture. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and relative risk was assessed. Results: The mean age of 13 patients was 46.9 years (range, 16~57 years); there were 8 men and 5 women. Among the 13 patients with nonunion, atrophic was the most common (12 cases). The association between the injury mechanism and the Lauge-Hansen classification and diabetes mellitus was not statistically significant. Distal fibular fractures with tibia shaft fracture (p=0.015) and Danis-Weber type C fracture (p=0.023), open fracture (p=0.011), and smoking (p=0.023) were significantly associated with nonunion. Conclusion: In this study, the combined injury of the ipsilateral tibia shaft fracture, open fracture, and Danis-Weber type C fracture may increase the possibility of nonunion. Therefore, caution is advised to prevent nonunion.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.98-103
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the factors related to nonunion in tibiotalar arthrodesis. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases of ankle arthritis treated with tibiotalar arthrodesis in our hospital from November 2008 to November 2015 with more than one year follow up were analyzed. Simple anteroposterior and lateral radiographs after 6 and 12 months of surgery were analyzed. Union was defined as more than 50% connection of the trabecular bone at the ankle joint surface in the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. The nonunion group was defined as no signs of union with persistent pain 9 months after surgery. The surgical approach, type of used screw, preoperative and postoperative ankle alignment, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density, and patients' prior history were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 69 union cases and 11 nonunion cases. In the patient factors, the gender and BMI was related to nonunion (p<0.05). The mean preoperative and postoperative ankle alignment in the nonunion group was $9.93^{\circ}{\pm}6.92^{\circ}$ and $5.43^{\circ}{\pm}3.35^{\circ}$ respectively, and $9.80^{\circ}{\pm}7.55^{\circ}$ and $5.63^{\circ}{\pm}3.45^{\circ}$ in the union group, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the technical factors, the transfibular approach showed a better relationship but the association was not significant (p<0.05). In 40 cases of the transfibular approach, 12 cases used cancellous screws, and 4 cases showed nonunion due to screw breakage. Conclusion: Technical factors, such as the surgical approach and the type of screw used can be a risk factor in nonunion. In addition, patients' factors, such as gender and BMI, must be considered to reduce the nonunion rate.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2003

The nonunion means a state that the healing of fracture has stopped, and the part of fracture remains to not heal up in several months. The medical treatment of nonunion was tried several way to add stability to fracture. The treatment of The electrical stimulation and medicine which is make from calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin A, D have used, but recently try to use Ultrasound and Laser in the physical therapy. In the text, we look into definition of nonunion, a cause, fracture of treatment process and approach of nonunion treatment. So, using Ultrasound and Laser in the physical therapy can be great help to the fracture and nonunion

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2009

Purpose: Nonunion of intra-articular fractures of calcaneus is rarely reported complication. We present our experiences with 4 patients (5 cases) treated operatively for nonunion after intra-articular fracture of calcaneus. Materials and Methods: 4 patients (5 cases) with nonunion of intra-articular fracture of calcaneus after operative treatment were followed for 4 years (from 2002 to 2006). For assessment, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were assessed for clinical outcome and the union of fracture site, the talocalcaneal height and the angle of talar declination were determined for radiologic outcome. Results: The mean talocalcaneal height was 6.94 cm (range, 5.9${\sim}$7.6 cm) preoperatively and 7.34 cm (range, 6.0${\sim}$8.3 cm) at last follow-up. The mean angle of talar declination was 5.68 degrees (range, 4.6${\sim}$8 degrees) preoperatively and 13.1 degrees (range, 5.7${\sim}$21 degrees) at last follow-up. The mean preoperative AOFAS score and VAS were 20.4 (range, 14${\sim}$36) and 4 (range, 3${\sim}$6), respectively. At last follow-up, these scores improved to a mean of 59.6 (range, 54${\sim}$68) and 3 (range, 2${\sim}$4), respectively. Unions of previous nonunion site of intra-articular fracture of calcaneus were achieved in all 4 patients (5 cases). Conclusion: The reconstructive procedure for nonunion of intra-articular fracture of calcaneus showed good results in terms of bone union, radiologic results and functional improvement than preoperative state. Because the plantar pain for the inferior angular formation in nonunion site may happen, we will pay attention to reduction of fragment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2016

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcomes of plate fixation using autologous iliac bone graft shaped in the form of a matchstick in clavicle nonunion resulting from prior surgical or non-surgical management. Methods: From May 2005 to February 2013, 17 patients underwent surgery for clavicle nonunion. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48.8 years. The iliac bone was harvested and shaped into slivers approximately 3 cm long, which resembled matchsticks. After opening of the medullary canal, the plate and screws were applied and cancellous bone was placed at the nonunion site. Matchstick bone grafts which were longitudinally placed and encircled on the nonunion site were tied with periosteum using 3-4 stitches. Union was determined via postoperative plane X-ray. Clinical status was evaluated using the visual analogue scale score for pain, and Constant and American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon score. Results: All patients had a stable radiological union at the follow-up. The mean duration from index operation to nonunion operation was 13.2 months (7-32 months). The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months (8-56 months), and the mean duration until union was 11.2 weeks (8-16 weeks). All clinical scores were improved at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean segmental defect was $3.3{\pm}2.6mm$ (1-18 mm); and the difference in clavicular length between operative and non-operative site was $5.9{\pm}6.9mm$. Conclusions: Matchstick shaped autologous iliac bone grafting technique in clavicle nonunion is acceptable with a high union rate.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.471-477
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• 2001

Failure to use effective methods of reduction, fixation, and immobilization may lead to nonunion with osteomyelitis, owing to the compound nature of most fractures of the mandible. Nonunion results in fibrous pseudoarthrosis at the fracture site with instability that, once formed, does not improve spontaneously. Once the nonunion with osteomyelitis secondary to fractures has become established, intermaxillary fixation and drainage of infected tissue should be instituted as early as possible, because the fixation & drainage enhances the patient comfort and hinders ingress of microorganisms & debris by movement of bone fragments. The authors treated three cases of nonunion with osteomyelitis by intermaxillary fixation, incision & persistent drainage on the previous fistula site and endodontic drainage of infected teeth in the fracture site of mandible. The localization & sequestration of the infected bone around the fracture was better performed persistently by natural homeostatic mechanism in $8{\sim}10$ weeks and the bony union was then attained without bone grafting.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2005

Purpose: The causes of twelve cases of the mid-shaft clavicle nonunion and the results of internal fixation with plate and bone graft were investigated. Materials and method: From August 1997 to March 2003, twelve cases of the mid-shaft clavicle nonunion were operated with internal fixation with plate and bone graft. The duration of follow-up was average 13 months. Results: The causes of the mid-shaft clavicle nonunion included severe associated injury, severe initial displacement of the fracture fragments and insecure fixation. All cases were operated with internal fixation with plate and bone graft. According to the factor for evaluations of results, using a rating scale of excellent (no apparent factors), good (one factor), fair (two factors), poor (more than three factors), the results showed 10 excellent, 1 good and 1 poor. Screw loosening was developed in only one case . Conclusion: The internal fixation with plate and bone graft of the mid-shaft clavicle nonunion after failed conservative treatment achieved excellent results and seemed to be the procedure of choice for mid-shaft clavicle nonunion.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.517-529
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• 2020

Carboxyl-terminal binding proteins (CtBPs) are transcription regulators that control gene expression in multiple cellular processes. Our recent findings indicated that overexpression of CtBP2 caused the repression of multiple bone development and differentiation genes, resulting in atrophic nonunion. Therefore, disrupting the CtBP2-associated transcriptional complex with small molecules may be an effective strategy to prevent nonunion. In the present study, we developed an in vitro screening system in yeast cells to identify small molecules capable of disrupting the CtBP2-p300 interaction. Herein, we focus our studies on revealing the in vitro and in vivo effects of a small molecule NSM00158, which showed the strongest inhibition of the CtBP2-p300 interaction in vitro. Our results indicated that NSM00158 could specifically disrupt CtBP2 function and cause the disassociation of the CtBP2-p300-Runx2 complex. The impairment of this complex led to failed binding of Runx2 to its downstream targets, causing their upregulation. Using a mouse fracture model, we evaluated the in vivo effect of NSM00158 on preventing nonunion. Consistent with the in vitro results, the NSM00158 treatment resulted in the upregulation of Runx2 downstream targets. Importantly, we found that the administration of NSM00158 could prevent the occurrence of nonunion. Our results suggest that NSM00158 represents a new potential compound to prevent the occurrence of nonunion by disrupting CtBP2 function and impairing the assembly of the CtBP2-p300-Runx2 transcriptional complex.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2013

The proper management of mandibular fractures involves reduction, rigid fixation, and immobilization to allow bone healing. Nonunion or malunion at the fractured sites is a well-known complication of fracture when the treatments are inappropriate. We present a case of left mandibular fracture due to shrapnel during the Korean War. The patients did not receive appropriate treatment at that time, so nonunion and malunion developed. Sixty years after the accident, mandibular osteomyelitis on the fracture site developed due to dental-origin inflammation. The treatment was based on relatively conservative care, such as saucerization and administration of antibiotics. There was no complication during the short-term follow-up. We present the case with literature review.