Functional bracing for the treatment of femoral and tibial delayed unions and nonunions

23 delayed unions and nonunions of the femur and the tibia are treated conservatively using functional brace made of polyethylene. Braces are prepared individually to molding properly to the Iower extremities of the patients. AII of the femoral fractures and 6 of the tibial fractures were treated initially by surgical methods, and the average interval until to apply braces is 19.26 weeks. Femoral delayed unions and nonunions are healed up entirely with an average period of 23.5 weeks, and tibial cases with an average period of 20.3 weeks. Union periods are delayed 2.0 weeks in infected femoral cases, and 1. 7 weeks in infected tibial cases, being statistically insignificant. Major angulations in femur with 14 degrees of antecurvation, 25 degrees of recurvation, and 22 degrees of valgisation prior to functional bracing became 6 degrees of antecurvation, 10 degrees of recurvation, and 4 degrees of valgisation at the end of the treatment. Major angulations in tibia with 22 degrees of valgisation, and 25 degrees of varisation decreased to 8 degrees of valgisation, and 4 degrees of varisation. As the main purpose, delayed unions and nonunions of the Iong bones of the Iower extremity are heaIing in a rather short period, with the effects of weight-bearing and controlled motions of the fragments with functional bracing, constituting an excellent alternative method to surgical treatments.