Strain reduction screws for nonunions following fixation around the elbow - A case series and review of the literature

Delayed Union and Nonunion: Current Concepts, Prevention, and Correction: A Review

“…Similar to augmentation plating, the use of strain-reduction screws in the treatment of surgical nonunion avoids the removal of the initial fixation [ 109 ]. It involves the placement of standard cortical screws across a nonunion site to induce interfragmentary compression and reduce local strains [ 111 ]. Currently, clinical reports utilizing strain-reduction screws are few, with use limited almost exclusively to lower limb aseptic nonunion [ 111 , 112 , 113 ].…”

“…It involves the placement of standard cortical screws across a nonunion site to induce interfragmentary compression and reduce local strains [ 111 ]. Currently, clinical reports utilizing strain-reduction screws are few, with use limited almost exclusively to lower limb aseptic nonunion [ 111 , 112 , 113 ]. However, clinical success has been reported following strain-reduction screw placement across hypertrophic humeral nonunion, in which the initial fixation exhibited no loss of stability [ 111 ].…”

“…Currently, clinical reports utilizing strain-reduction screws are few, with use limited almost exclusively to lower limb aseptic nonunion [ 111 , 112 , 113 ]. However, clinical success has been reported following strain-reduction screw placement across hypertrophic humeral nonunion, in which the initial fixation exhibited no loss of stability [ 111 ]. Further large-scale clinical research is necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of strain-reduction screws and establish their indication for use, but this technique offers a promising minimally invasive option for surgical nonunion treatment.…”