malunion
Bone heals wrong
Malunion is the faulty healing of a broken bone, where the fractured ends join but in an abnormal position—misaligned, rotated, or at an angle.
The result may cause pain, limited movement, or deformity.
Malunion differs from nonunion, where the bone fails to heal at all: The X-ray showed malunion of the femur, requiring corrective surgery.
Improper positioning relative to reference
- deformityAbnormal body structure
- angulationFormation of corners
- crookednessNot being straight
- varusInward bone deviation
valgus · rotation · shortening · displaced · bent · twisted · malformed · asymmetry
Adjusting relative positions
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- platesFlat eating dishes
- screwsThreaded metal fasteners
grafting · reduction · corrective surgery · bone graft · lengthening · hardware · implants · revision surgery
Hardened protective skin
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- remodelingAltering existing structures
- bridgingConnecting separated things
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
casting · weight-bearing · rehabilitation · physiotherapy · recovery
Enduring physical suffering
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- muscle atrophyShrinkage from disuse
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
Of the shinbone
metacarpal · phalangeal · ankle · wrist · forearm · midshaft · comminuted · spiral
misalignment
Improper positioning relative to reference
- deformityAbnormal body structure
- angulationFormation of corners
- crookednessNot being straight
varus · valgus · rotation · shortening · displaced · bent · twisted · malformed · asymmetry · distortion
realignment
Adjusting relative positions
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- platesFlat eating dishes
screws · grafting · reduction · corrective surgery · bone graft · lengthening · hardware · implants · revision surgery
callus
Hardened protective skin
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- remodelingAltering existing structures
- bridgingConnecting separated things
immobilization · casting · weight-bearing · rehabilitation · physiotherapy · recovery
chronic pain
Enduring physical suffering
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- muscle atrophyShrinkage from disuse
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
disability · impairment · limited range · weakness · instability
tibial
Of the shinbone
humeral · metacarpal · phalangeal · ankle · wrist · forearm · midshaft · comminuted · spiral · oblique
malunionproper alignment
union, unite, unity, reunion, unification, disunion, malformation, nonunion, maladjustment