Late Complications

Local:
• Delayed Union is due to
o Inadequate blood supply
o Infection
o Incorrect splintage
o Intact fellow bone
• Non-union
o If bone end not immobilized
o Infection
o Bone disease
• Malunion
o Arthritis of adjoining joints may develop as a complication later
• Joint stiffness (maybe coz joint not used for long time)
• Contractures
• Myositis ossificans: formation of a bone in a muscle after dislocations or fractures. Initially painful and swollen, then joint stiffens and surrounded by a mass of new bone.
• Avascular necrosis
• Algodystrophy (or Sudeck's atrophy): limb remain sensitive to any stimulus and later develops disuse atrophy.
• Osteomyelitis: inflammation of bone due to infection.
• Growth disturbance or deformity
Systemic:
• Gangrene, tetanus, septicaemia ( diabetes)
• Fear of mobilising
• Osteoarthritis