Nonunions of the proximal femur

Abstract

Nonunions of the proximal femur may be severely disabling when they occur in active individuals [1, 2], although elderly people may live reasonably normal lives with nonunions of the upper extremity long bones (e.g., clavicle, humerus, and forearm). Femoral nonunions, however, are more frequently painful and may preclude weightbearing on the affected extremity. If, however, pain is minimal or nonexistent and occurring within a nonambulatory individual, nonoperative management is the treatment of choice.