Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonunion Fractures: Current Challenges and Future Directions

Fracture healing is a critical aspect of orthopedic care, and standard treatment protocols successfully heal approximately 85% of fractures. However, healing is delayed in approximately 10% of fractures and nonunion develops in 5%. Despite extensive research over the past century, it remains difficult to accurately predict fracture outcomes at the patient level. This variability complicates treatment decisions and underscores the need for improved diagnostic and prognostic tools to better manage fracture treatment.

This Research Topic aims to address ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of both delayed healing and fracture nonunion. Current methodologies for distinguishing between normal healing, delayed healing, and nonunion are limited in predictability and timing and often lead to prolonged periods of uncertainty and potentially suboptimal care. We aim to raise the standard of care for fracture management by researching and sharing innovative strategies, diagnostic tools, and prognostic methods. Contributors are encouraged to explore how early and accurate patient-specific prognosis can transform treatment pathways, reduce rising costs, and improve patient outcomes.

We invite contributions examining various aspects of delayed fracture healing and fracture nonunion, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and future possibilities. Manuscripts may include original research, review articles, clinical studies, and case reports. Specific themes for contributions include, but are not limited to:

o Current methodologies to identify and diagnose fracture nonunion versus delayed healing in 2024

o Diagnostic tools and approaches used in clinical practice, their application and effectiveness

o Cost analysis of treatment of delayed healing fractures and nonunions compared to normally healing fractures

o Clinicians’ perspectives on ideal solutions to distinguish between normal healing, delayed healing, and nonunion

o Potential changes in treatment strategies if early discrimination between fracture healing outcomes can be reliably achieved

o Prognostic methods currently in use and their reliability beyond watchful waiting

By examining these themes, we aim to develop a deeper understanding of both delayed-healing fractures and fracture nonunions and to promote the development of more effective diagnostic and treatment protocols.

Keywords: Nonunion fracture, Delayed fracture healing, Fracture healing outcomes, Prognostic tools for fractures, Diagnosis of nonunion fracture, Treatment of nonunion fractures, Fracture care management

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the department and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to refer an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Fracture healing is a critical aspect of orthopedic care, and standard treatment protocols successfully heal approximately 85% of fractures. However, healing is delayed in approximately 10% of fractures and nonunion develops in 5%. Despite extensive research over the past century, it remains difficult to accurately predict fracture outcomes at the patient level. This variability complicates treatment decisions and underscores the need for improved diagnostic and prognostic tools to better manage fracture treatment.

This Research Topic aims to address ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of both delayed healing and fracture nonunion. Current methodologies for distinguishing between normal healing, delayed healing, and nonunion are limited in predictability and timing and often lead to prolonged periods of uncertainty and potentially suboptimal care. We aim to raise the standard of care for fracture management by researching and sharing innovative strategies, diagnostic tools, and prognostic methods. Contributors are encouraged to explore how early and accurate patient-specific prognosis can transform treatment pathways, reduce rising costs, and improve patient outcomes.

We invite contributions examining various aspects of delayed fracture healing and fracture nonunion, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and future possibilities. Manuscripts may include original research, review articles, clinical studies, and case reports. Specific themes for contributions include, but are not limited to:

o Current methodologies to identify and diagnose fracture nonunion versus delayed healing in 2024

o Diagnostic tools and approaches used in clinical practice, their application and effectiveness

o Cost analysis of treatment of delayed healing fractures and nonunions compared to normally healing fractures

o Clinicians’ perspectives on ideal solutions to distinguish between normal healing, delayed healing, and nonunion

o Potential changes in treatment strategies if early discrimination between fracture healing outcomes can be reliably achieved

o Prognostic methods currently in use and their reliability beyond watchful waiting

By examining these themes, we aim to develop a deeper understanding of both delayed-healing fractures and fracture nonunions and to promote the development of more effective diagnostic and treatment protocols.

Keywords: Nonunion fracture, Delayed fracture healing, Fracture healing outcomes, Prognostic tools for fractures, Diagnosis of nonunion fracture, Treatment of nonunion fractures, Fracture care management

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the department and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to refer an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of peer review.