What is Malunion Management?
Malunion is caused when a broken bone or fracture heals in an abnormal position. There are different abnormal positions in which the bone can heal. It may be crooked, rotated, or even shorter than it was before. A combination of these deformities constitutes malunion. If left untreated, the condition may start affecting your quality of life while causing pain and discomfort.
The fractures causing malunion are usually observed in the hand, wrist, and forearm. If a certain kind of movement, banding, or angulation happens during the healing of the bone, it results in a malunion fracture.
Why is it needed?
While some malunion fractures do not impact your daily activities and may not require treatment, those occurring in the lower limb usually result in significant functional impairment. In this scenario, a malunion may result in pain, discomfort, cosmetic displeasure, and even arthritis.
It is advisable to visit a specialist for malunion management in Delhi in such cases.
Common techniques under Malunion Management
Malunion management in Delhi is decided after taking certain factors into consideration, including your symptoms, the involved bone, the severity of the condition, and whether it is impacting your mobility and daily functioning.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Your healthcare provider will consider a nonsurgical treatment if the malunion is not painful and is not impacting your daily activities.
- Shoe Lift: If there is a smaller difference between the lengths of two legs, the healthcare provider will give you a shoe lift to wear. Wearing this lift fitted to the inside or outside of the shoe may improve your ability to walk. Additionally, it may help with relieving back pain caused by this condition. It is an inexpensive treatment approach and may be removed easily if it does not result in any improvement.
- Bracing: Bracing is another sought-after treatment for malunion. Using braces offers additional support to the legs and improves your ability to walk. Bracing works by pulling the affected leg into a straighter position.
Surgical Treatment
If the above-listed treatment options do not come to your rescue, the healthcare provider may recommend you visit a specialist for a surgical approach to treat malunion. After diagnosing and ruling out the severity of your condition, the surgeon will use one of the following treatment options:
- Osteotomy: Osteotomy is the most commonly used surgical procedure to correct a malunion. During this procedure, the surgeon cuts the involved bone or rebreaks it at the site of the original fracture. After this, they restore it to its correct anatomical alignment. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, the bone may be held using internal fixation (plates and screws or a rod down the center of the bone) or external fixation (a metal frame positioned on the outside of the leg attached to the bone with wires and pins).
- Distraction Osteogenesis: If your condition involves shortening of the bones and a significant leg length discrepancy, the surgeon may discuss with you the possibility of lengthening the limb with the help of internal lengthening rods or an external frame. This procedure is named distraction osteogenesis. It helps equalize limb length over time and eliminates the limp caused by a short leg.
Recovery
After the surgical procedure, the surgeon immobilizes your leg in a splint or cast for a few days. You will be instructed not to bear weight until the bones have strengthened and healed properly. To regain muscles, the surgeon will suggest you join a rehabilitation program.
During your rehabilitation period, a physiotherapist will work with you for several weeks to improve your movement and mobility and strengthen your bones. It is advised to listen to their instructions.
It is equally important to visit the doctor for follow-up care. During follow-up appointments, the doctor monitors the alignment of the bone and the healing process using X-rays and other means. It is to ensure that the bone is healing with proper alignment in the proper position.
Cost of Malunion Management treatment in Delhi
The cost of malunion management and treatment in Delhi starts from 70,000 INR and may reach up to 1,50,000 and even more, depending on the following factors:
- The cost of malunion surgery is characterized by the kind of hospital chosen, with a private hospital charging a higher fee than a government medical facility.
- A highly skilled and experienced surgeon charges a higher fee.
- Other factors considered while deciding the overall cost of the treatment include duration of stay at the hospital, additional tests, and rehabilitation program.
Why Choose Dr. Ashwani Maichand for Malunion Management?
Dr. Ashwani Maichand brings three decades of surgical experience in treating and managing fractures and other orthopaedic conditions, including malunion management. His treatment ensures expert care backed by extensive experience in complex bone deformity correction. Dr. Maichand specializes in advanced techniques, such as corrective osteotomy and limb reconstruction, aiming to restore proper alignment, function, and appearance.
With a patient-centric approach, Dr. Maichand focuses on precise planning, minimal complications, and faster recovery. His expertise in handling mild and challenging cases, combined with modern surgical techniques and customized rehabilitation programs, makes him a trusted choice for achieving long-term outcomes.
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Dr. Ashwani Maichand
MBBS, MS(Orthopaedics) | Mch(Orthopaedics)
- Sr. Consultant & Director at Minomax Orthopaedics
- Director Orthopaedics, CK Birla Hospital
- Fellowship Joint Replacement (USA & GERMANY)
- Visiting Surgeon HELIOSENDO at klinik, Hamburg, Germany
Dr. Ashwani Maichand brings with him a rich experience of Orthopaedics, more than a decade of which has been dedicated to joint reconstruction.
