The difference between bone nonunion and delayed bone healing is mainly the difference in the length of time it takes for the fracture to heal. Generally a fracture that has not healed for more than 3 to 6 months is called delayed healing, and a fracture that does not heal for more than 9 months is called bone nonunion.
Bone nonunion is a fracture and injury at least 9 months after the fracture and there is no tendency for further healing within the next 3 months, with localized compression pain of the fracture, instability of the fracture breaks, and paradoxical activity during stress.
Delayed bone healing is when the fracture takes longer than the normal healing time, there is still pain and tenderness at the fracture site, the fracture line is obvious on X-ray, there is less growth of bone crust at the fracture end, mild decalcification, and the fracture heals more slowly.
The causes of bone nonunion and delayed bone healing are more or less the same, and their consequences vary due to different degrees.
Fracture treatment should be reviewed regularly to understand the fracture healing situation and adjust the treatment method to prevent delayed healing and bone nonunion.