Effects on tissues
Ionising radiation impairs cellular viability, vascularity and healing potential.
Orthopaedic consequences
- Osteopenia
- Growth disturbance in children
- Delayed union or non-union
- Soft-tissue fibrosis
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Pathological fracture
- Radiation-induced sarcoma after latency in rare cases
Surgical implications
- Poor soft tissues and poor healing
- Increased infection risk
- Need for careful fixation and biological augmentation in selected cases
Diagram
