Non-Invasive Treatment of Delayed Union in Human Long Bones

Abstract

Delayed Union is usually defined as lack of or inadequate new bone formation across the fracture 3-6 months after fracture. Many surgeons would recommend operative intervention with fixation by metallic implants and bone grafting. This involves 2 wounds one at the site of fracture, one at pelvis to harvest bone. New Physical therapy modality Low-Level Laser Therapy [LLLT] can quicken the healing of delayed fracture union and sometimes obviate the need for major surgeries.

We were being taught throughout the years that delayed union of fracture of the long bone that are slow to heal would always need open reduction and internal fixation and frequently bone grafting.

With the advent of newer physiotherapy techniques known as Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) that has Both bone healing and Bone Re-modelling potential, the concept above might need to be taken with a grain of salt [1].

The same holds for fresh proximal femoral fracture as illustrated in Figure 1 that refuse to unite on the tension side despite intra-medullary nailing after 6 months of observation. Figure 2 shows the healing of bones at the Tension side after LLLT administration for 4 months.

Citation

David IP. Non-Invasive Treatment of Delayed Union in Human Long Bones. WebLog J Phys Ther Rehabil. wjptr.2026.j1506. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23368713