Fracture Care

 Fractures or broken bones are common after a traumatic injury.  Whether it is your arm or leg, all fractures usually need to be immobilized.  A splint or cast may be used and if the fracture is unstable enough, it can require surgery to heal the fracture using a plate and screws or sometimes a rod.

Clavicle fractures

 Fractures of the clavicle occur after a fall or direct contact and can happen in all age groups.  Depending on the amount the fracture is displaced, this can either be treated with a sling or require surgery using a plate and screws.

Shoulder fractures

 Fractures of the shoulder including proximal humerus fractures are often times treated without surgery and can occur in older patients.  However, at times in younger patients, these may require surgery with a plate and screws.

Humerus fractures

 A fracture of the humerus can sometimes be treated without surgery with a brace, but can oftentimes require surgery treated with a plate and screws

Elbow fractures

Radial head fractures are oftentimes treated without surgery, olecranon fractures can depend on the amount of displacement if they require surgery.

Forearm fractures

 Depending on your age, forearm fractures in children are oftentimes treated with a cast unless there is significant displacement.  Forearm fractures in adults often times will require surgery with a plate and screws.

Wrist fractures

Distal radius fractures all depend on the amount of displacement and the alignment of the joint for determining if surgery is warranted or if a cast will be used.

Hip fractures

Hip fractures are common in elderly patients with fragile bones due to a fall.  Hip fractures almost always require surgery using either screw fixation, a rod (cephalomedullary nail), or a partial hip replacement.  This allows the patient to return to immediate walking after surgery to prevent complications with immobility like pneumonia and blood clots.

Femur fractures

Femur fractures are almost always from high energy trauma and almost always require surgery to stabilize the fracture with a rod, this will allow immediate weight bearing after surgery.

Knee fractures (patella)

Fractures of the patella play an important role in allowing the knee to extend, if the fracture is displaced enough, surgical fixation typically using screws is required to heal the fracture and maintain quadriceps function

Tibial shaft fractures

Fractures of the tibial shaft or shin bone are usually from high energy trauma and will often require surgery using a rod to stabilize the fracture.  This will allow immediate walking and weight bearing after surgery.

Ankle fractures

Ankle fractures represent some of the most common fractures.  An ankle fracture usually occurs after a twisting injury to the ankle.  Depending on the number of bones broken in the ankle as well as the integrity of the ligaments will determine if the ankle fracture is stable or if it will require surgery to heal and prevent the development of osteoarthritis in the future.  These fractures are treated with a plate and screw to fix if surgery is needed.  Without surgery, typically only a fracture boot is required.