In the context of bone injuries, what does "malunion" refer to?

Malunion specifically refers to a fracture that has healed but not in the correct alignment or anatomical position. This can result in functional impairment or deformity of the affected bone, potentially leading to further complications or issues with mobility and weight-bearing. The term emphasizes that while the bone has gone through the healing process, the end result is unsatisfactory due to improper alignment.

Some of the alternate concepts addressed by the other options include nonunion, which describes a fracture that has failed to heal altogether; joint deformities, which relate to misalignments affecting the joints rather than the bone structure itself; and the idea of separation of bone fragments, which is associated with acute fractures rather than describing the outcome of healing. In contrast, malunion provides insight into the quality of healing post-fracture and the implications it has on the patient's recovery and function.