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Learn the Tibial fracture non-union correction using Taylor Spatial Frame (Smith and Nephew) surgical technique with step by step instructions on OrthOracle. Our e-learning platform contains high resolution images and a certified CME of the Tibial fracture non-union correction using Taylor Spatial Frame (Smith and Nephew) surgical procedure.

Tibial non-union occurs in approximately 5% of fractures although rates are higher following open fractures with an incidence of up to 40% in Gustilo-Anderson 3B open tibial fractures.

There is no agreed radiological definition of non-union although the  RUST system (Radiological Union Score of Tibia) can be used as a guide. AP and lateral x-rays  are assessed with each of the four visible cortices given a score from 1-3 (1- no callus, 2- bridging callus, 3- bridging callus fracture not visible) with a score of 10 or more representing radiological union.  An often quoted definition of non-union is a fracture that has not healed by 9 months or has shown no progression of healing on X-rays taken 3 months apart. However many open fractures take over 9 months to heal and often fractures that are slow to heal need nothing more than time to achieve union.  A pragmatic (although subjective) definition of non-union therefore is an absence of healing radiologically with ongoing symptoms where union is not anticipated without further intervention.

Non-union can be classified in a number of ways. The commonest is to divide them into hypertrophic, oligotrophic or atrophic.  In hypertrophic non-union there is callus formation but persistence of the fracture and the primary issue is considered to be mechanical with inadequate stability.  In atrophic non-union there is minimal callus formation and the underlying issue is biological (non-viable bone ends, poor vascularity).  Oligotrophic non-unions sit between the two extremes with a mixture of biological and mechanical causes.  Non-unions with infection or bone loss are separate entities.

Non-union can be due to a multitude of factors and the management is tailored to addressing those factors.  Patient factors include medical conditions such as vascular disease and diabetes with poor control or complications.  Smoking is a well recognised cause of complications after fracture fixation with an increased time to union and significantly increased risk of non-union.  Endocrine abnormalities, such as hypothyroidism may contribute to non-union and vitamin D deficiency is a common finding in those with non-union although it is uncertain if this is causative and whether correction of vitamin D improves healing.  A number of drugs are considered to impair bone healing including steroids.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s) have long been blamed for impairing bone healing however there is a lack of good quality evidence demonstrating that NSAID use causes non-union (rather than patients with non-union taking NSAID’s because their leg hurts).

In addition to patient factors a number of factors relating to the fracture and its treatment may contribute to the development of non-union.  These can be thought of in terms of 4 S’s.

1. Sterile. Is there an underlying infection relating either to the original injury (eg open fracture) or its subsequent treatment?.  Fracture related infection is a common cause of non-union and even fractures assumed to be aseptic may be found to be infected following intra-operative sampling at the time of non-union surgery.
2. Straight. Has the limb been adequately aligned?.  Restoring the mechanical alignment of lower limb fractures is essential to restore the biomechnical environment and  normalise the forces acting across the bone to facilitate healing.   
3. Stable.  Fixation with incorrect stability is probably the commonest cause of non-union.  Most often this relates to inadequate stability at the fracture site  producing a hypertrophic non-union but non-union can also be caused by fixation producing a mechanical environment that is too stiff, this normally occurs when locked plates are used with too many screws and a gap at the fracture site- the construct is so stiff that micro-movement is abolished and an atrophic non-union results.  The relationship of the bone healing unit and mechanical strain is eloquently outlined in the BJJ article by Elliott et al, in essence for bone formation and fracture union the strain at the fracture site must reduce with time in accordance with Perren’s strain theory (bone forms when strain is <2%).
4. Stimulate. In some fractures the bone healing unit has ‘switched off’ and needs stimulating to restart either with bone graft or other stimulation techniques.

Ring fixators are used in tibial non-unions for a variety of indications.  They can be used simply to add stability to a hypertrophic non-union, as distraction in a frame is a reliable way of reducing strain at the fracture site and achieving union. They are particularly useful in cases where infection is confirmed or suspected, the small foot print of the frame avoids having metalwork in an infected field.  Intercurrent deformity can be addressed with ring fixators allowing a gradual deformity correction which avoids placing undue stress on soft tissues and particularly when acute correction may stretch nerves too rapidly and cause a nerve injury.

The Taylor Spatial frame (TSF) uses six adjustable struts across the working segment, in place of the traditional Ilizarov threaded rods, to create a hexapod. The hexapod is an engineering concept, the use of 6 adjustable struts allows deformity correction in any plane.  This concept is based on the Stewart Gough platform and in combination with the software allows the frame to be programmed to simultaneously correct deformity in any plane via a ‘virtual hinge’.  The TSF is thus a powerful tool for correcting complex deformities as well as sharing the advantages of traditional Ilizarov frames in the treatment of infected non-unions.

Readers will find the following OrthOracle techniques also of interest:

Tibial shaft fracture: Fixation with a Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) circular external fixator (Smith and Nephew)

Tibial intramedullary nailing (suprapatella approach): Synthes Expert Tibial Nail.

Distal tibial fracture managed with fixator assisted Synthes Expert tibial nail with supra-patella nail approach and blocking screw

Compartment fasciotomy and Hoffmann 3 spanning external fixator for open tibial fracture

 

Author: Paul Fenton FRCS (Tr & Orth)

Institution: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

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In the UK contact: gov.uk
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