ABSTRACT
Fractures are a commonly encountered patient problem and, depending on the patient and the fracture characteristics, are associated with significant morbidity and in some cases mortality. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 6 million people will incur a fractured bone annually, and of those, nearly 5% (300,000) will develop delayed union or nonunion. Given this prevalence, fracture healing not surprisingly, has received significant interest. Nutrition has been shown to play a significant role in this endeavor. Additionally, the role that nutrition plays in the prevention and treatment of nonunion has now been recognized and has begun to receive attention. In this chapter, we will discuss the role that nutrition and nutrient supplementation plays in the treatment of fractures and the prevention of nonunion.
