Southern California Medical Treatment for Pseudarthrosis

Pseudarthrosis

Pseudarthrosis is the result when an inadequately healed fracture shifts. It is essentially a fracture which does not heal. The name derives from two Greek words meaning "false joint". This is because when the fracture does not heal properly, it sometimes has motion and a rounded end similar to a real joint. Pseudarthrosis may be treated in a variety of ways including: electrical stimulation, grafting, external fixation, and internal fixation.

When a non-union or pseudarthrosis occurs in the spine, the vertebral bone does not fuse over the disc. Normally, spinal fusion may take up to two years to be fully complete. How fast the fusion takes place depends on a variety of factors such as: bone health and the condition of the spinal muscles and nerves. A stimulator which encourages bone growth may be applied at the site of the non-union of the spine to encourage fusion. Patients who smoke, are obese, or have been treated for cancer and diabetes have a higher risk of non-union. You may require a CAT scan in order to confirm the presence of pseudarthrosis. If you have pain in the location of your original spinal surgery, and this lasts over a period of months, consult with a qualified doctor.

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The most common causes of pseudarthrosis are excessive stress across the site of fusion, inadequate stabilization, and metabolic irregularities.

The condition of pseudarthrosis usually results when there is an attempt to fuse the spinal vertebrate and the bone has not completely healed or the fusion was unsuccessful. It can also occur where a fracture has not healed properly. When treating pseudarthrosis, the surgeon will first identify the reason for the development of the non-union and determine the treatment that will best resolve or alleviate the condition for the patient.

If you have been diagnosed with pseudarthrosis, call the Contact Chapman Neurosurgical Spine Institute today.