Fracture surgery is surgery that involves the treatment of a fractured bone. It may be performed to repair a broken bone or to relieve pressure on nerves, tendons, or other tissues related to the injury. To perform fracture surgery San Antonio, the surgeon will remove foreign objects or debris from the area and stabilize the fracture by inserting plates, pins, or screws into the broken bone. The goal is to immobilize the bone so it can heal properly.
Here are the benefits of fracture surgery.
When do you need fracture surgery?
The goal of fracture surgery is to repair or stabilize the damaged or fractured bone in order to prevent further injury and return the patient’s limbs to functionality. This can be accomplished through several different surgical approaches that vary based on the severity of the fracture, whether it is open or closed, and which bones are involved.
Here are instances when fracture surgery is appropriate.
Compound fracture: Often, patients will require surgery if they have sustained a compound fracture. A compound fracture breaks the skin and usually leads to heavy bleeding. Compound fractures can become infected if not treated properly, but surgery can prevent this by getting rid of the infection-causing bacteria that have entered through the open wound.
Open fractures: Open fractures are those in which there is damage to the bone and visible bony deformation (fracture line). If the bone is open, it means that there is no blood supply to the area, and therefore no healing will occur. This can cause skin wounds or other complications depending on where the fracture occurs. Open injuries need surgery to close them up as soon as possible so they can heal properly without causing more damage or pain later on.
Displaced fractures: A displaced fracture is one in which the bone has been pushed out of position. These are most common in the upper arm and lower leg but can also occur in other areas, such as the wrist or ankle. Because there is no real way to repair a displaced fracture until it heals properly, it’s crucial for patients to be evaluated by a physician immediately so they can take steps to protect their bones while they heal. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to avoid future complications such as arthritis or permanent injury to the bones.
Complex fractures: Complex fractures require surgery to repair damaged joints and alleviate pressure on nerves in your spine by fixing the bones together at the site of the break. An open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure can help reduce pain caused by damaged nerves in your spine and relieve pressure on them.
You may also need an operation to repair other damaged bones around your injured area, such as an operation on your hip to remove a displaced fragment of bone (fracture-dislocation) or a shoulder operation to repair tears in either one or both shoulder muscles (capsulorrhaphy).
Treatment for fractures can be both invasive and noninvasive, depending on what kind of fracture is present. Surgery might involve the placement of pins, screws, plates and rods into the affected bone. These are used for stabilization purposes and are removed after healing has occurred. Some fractures can be set with simple hand tools such as clamps or tongs. Other fractures require plates and screws to stabilize them while they heal. If you want fracture treatment, reach out to Cody Covington, MD experts today.
