In a perfect world, bones would always heal in an ideal position. But in reality, this isn’t always the case. And it’s even possible for the bones not to heal it all.
Dr. Eric E. Johnson specializes in orthopaedic trauma in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Over his career, he’s seen and treated numerous bones that don’t heal properly, like malunions and nonunions, all over the body, including the hip.
Whenever possible, Dr. Johnson relies on conservative methods to treat orthopaedic injuries. However, most bones that don’t heal properly require a surgical intervention known as “osteotomy.”
When you have a malunion, a bone in your body heals in an improper position, causing it to twist, rotate, or bend at an awkward angle. This issue can also make the bone shorter than normal, and you can have all these deformities simultaneously.
Unlike a malunion, a nonunion refers to a break that hasn’t healed at all. This problem develops when the broken bone doesn’t have the stability, blood supply, and nutrition required to foster the new tissue growth that reconnects the break.
Whether you have a malunion or a nonunion, it’s common to experience pain, tenderness, swelling, and deformity. And, depending on the area affected, you may have difficulty using the bone or bearing weight.
Generally speaking, osteotomy describes cutting and reshaping bone. Dr. Johnson uses this approach to restore alignment in bones all over the body by removing, adding, or repositioning the problem bone. After restoring alignment in the area, Dr. Johnson stabilizes the bones to maintain their optimal position throughout the healing process.
Types of issues osteotomy can address include:
If you have a nonunion, Dr. Johnson can also use an osteotomy procedure by grafting bone from another part of your body (or a donor) into the fracture site. This process encourages the body to use the grafted tissue as a scaffolding to support new bone growth.
Dr. Johnson performs osteotomies on patients of all ages, from seniors with hip malunions to children with hip dysplasia.
Having bones that don’t heal properly, or at all, can cause numerous issues, even in the smallest joints, such as:
Depending on your condition, an osteotomy could provide life-changing results. However, Dr. Johnson can provide personalized recommendations on the most effective treatment strategy for you after performing a comprehensive exam.
Do you have a bone that hasn’t healed properly — or at all? Learn about your treatment options by scheduling a consultation with Eric E. Johnson, MD, in Westwood, Los Angeles, by calling 310-206-1169 today.
