Fracture Complications
Version 2.0
19/05/2012
Early complications
Local:
Vascular injury causing haemorrhage, internal or external
Visceral injury causing damage to structures such as brain, lung or bladder
Damage to surrounding tissue, nerves or skin
Haemarthrosis
Compartment syndrome (or Volkmann's ischaemia)
Wound infection, more common for open fractures
Systemic:
Fat embolism
Shock
Thromboembolism (pulmonary or venous)
Exacerbation of underlying diseases such as diabetes or CAD
Pneumonia
Compartment syndromes
Fractures of the limbs can cause severe ischaemia by damage to a major artery or by
increasing the osteofascial compartment pressure by swelling due to bleeding or oedema.
capillary flow muscle ischaemia. more oedema more pressure capillary flow.
Thus rapid pressure build-up, leading to muscle and nerve necrosis.
Compartment syndromes can also result from crush injuries (falling debris or simple
compression if patient unconscious for length of time) or an over-tight cast.
Any compartment, but tibia shaft # & forearm # greatest risk. Esp if age<35y.
Presentation
Signs of ischaemia (5 P's: Pain, Paraesthesia, Pallor, Paralysis, Pulselessness) - but
diagnosis should be made before all these features are present. The presence of a pulse
does not exclude the diagnosis.
Signs of raised intracompartmental pressure:
o Swollen arm or leg
o Tender muscle - calf or forearm pain on passive extension of digits
o Pain out of proportion to injury
o Redness, mottling and blisters
Watch for signs of renal failure (low-output uraemia with acidosis)
When uncertain, measure intracompartmental pressure directly.
Management
Remove/relieve external pressures
Prompt decompression of threatened compartments by open fasciotomy
Debride any muscle necrosis
Treat hypovolaemic shock and oliguria urgently
Renal dialysis may be necessary
Complications
Acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis
DIC
Volkmann's contracture (where infarcted muscle is replaced by inelastic fibrous tissue)
Fat embolism
This is a relatively uncommon disorder that occurs in the first few days following trauma with a
mortality rate of 10-20%. Various theories: Fat drops from bone marrow following #, coalesce
and form emboli in pulmonary capillary beds and brain, with a 2 inflammatory cascade and
platelet aggregation. Alternative theory suggests that FFAs are released as chylomicrons
following hormonal changes due to trauma or sepsis. Also seen following severe burns, CPR, bone
marrow transplant and liposuction.
Risk factors
Closed fractures
Multiple fractures
Pulmonary contusion
Long bone/pelvis/rib fractures
Presentation
Sudden onset dyspnoea
Hypoxia
Fever
Confusion, coma, convulsions
Transient red-brown petechial rash affecting upper body, especially axilla
Management
Supportive treatment
Corticosteroid drugs (used in treatment, more controversial in prevention)
Surgical stabilisation of fracture
Late Complications
Local:
Delayed Union
Non-union
Malunion
Joint stiffness
Contractures
Myositis ossificans
Avascular necrosis
Algodystrophy (or Sudeck's atrophy)
Osteomyelitis
Growth disturbance or deformity
Systemic:
Gangrene, tetanus, septicaemia
Fear of mobilising
Osteoarthritis
Problems with bone healing (non-union, delayed union and malunion)
Non-union = no signs of healing after >3-6 months (depending upon # site). Non-union is one
endpoint of delayed union. 1% of all #, but 19% in lower leg #. Malunion occurs when the bone
fragments join in an unsatisfactory position, usually due to insufficient reduction.
Causes of delayed union include:
Severe soft tissue damage
Inadequate blood supply
Infection
Insufficient splintage
Excessive traction
For non-union: as above plus bone separation & interposition of periosteum, muscle or cartilage
Presentation
Pain at fracture site
Non-use of extremity
Tenderness and swelling
Joint stiffness (prolonged >3 months)
Movement around the fracture site (pseudarthrosis)
X-ray
Absence of callous (remodelled bone) or lack of progressive change in the callous
Closed medullary cavities suggest non-union.
May look avascular (known as atrophic non-union) or have excessive bone formation on
either side of the gap (known as hypertrophic non-union).
Management
Early
weight bearing and casting may be helpful. Surgical treatments include:
Debridement to establish a healthy infection-free vascularity at fracture site
Internal fixation to reducing and stabilize fracture.
Bone grafting to stimulate new callous formation.
Myositis ossificans
Calcifications and bony masses develop within muscle and can occur as a complication of
fractures, esp humeral supracondylar #s. Presents with pain, tenderness, focal swelling, and
joint/muscle contractions. Avoid excessive physio, rest joint until pain subsides, NSAIDs may
be helpful and consider excision after the lesion has stabilized (usually 6-24mo).
Algodystrophy
Sudeck's atrophy is a form of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (or complex regional pain syndrome
type 1), usually hand or foot generally following trauma, esp fractures. Continuous, burning pain
with initial local swelling, warmth and redness which to pallor and atrophy. Movement.
Treatment is usually multi-pronged:
Rehab - physio & occupational therapy to sensitivity & gradually exercise tolerance.
Psychological therapy
Pain management - often difficult. Approaches used are neuropathic pain medications
(e.g. amitriptyline, gabapentin, opioids), steroids, calcitonin, IV bisphosphonates and
regional blocks.
Iatrogenic complications
Casts: Pressure ulcers, thermal burns, thrombophlebitis. Prolonged cast immobilisation, or 'cast
disease' circulatory disturbances, inflammation, osteoporosis, chronic oedema, soft-tissue
atrophy, and joint stiffness. Good physiotherapy should avoid these problems.
Traction: Muscle wasting and weakness, pressure ulcers, pneumonia/UTIs, permanent footdrop
contractures, peroneal nerve palsy, pin tract infection, thromboembolism
External fixation: Pin tract infection, pin loosening or breakage, interference with movement of
joint, neurovascular damage due to pin placement, misalignment due to poor placement of the
fixator
