It’s tempting to think that bone fractures are all alike, but actually, fractures can vary significantly in how they happen and the way they affect the bones. While some fractures are relatively simple and straightforward, others can be more complex, and that means they need a different approach to treatment.
At Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Thomas E. Powell, MD, and his team use a patient-centered approach to fracture care, with state-of-the-art techniques like fixation to promote optimal healing. In this post, Dr. Powell offers a brief overview of fixation, including how it’s performed and when it’s used.
Fixation is a medical technique used to join and stabilize broken bones so they heal correctly. There are two primary types of fixation: internal and external.
Internal fixation uses rods, pins, and other hardware surgically placed directly onto or into the bone pieces, providing a framework that helps hold the pieces together. Often, this hardware is left in place permanently, providing additional strength and support for the area.
Internal fixation is often referred to as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), referring to the need to surgically treat the bones and join them via fixation techniques.
External fixation uses a frame outside the body. The frame is connected to the bone pieces using special attachment hardware that’s placed through your skin and muscle tissue and into or onto the bone underneath.
Both internal and external fixation help hold the bone pieces in place while natural healing “knits” them back together. Fixation also helps ensure the bone pieces join correctly, rather than at odd angles or in ways that could lead to poor function, chronic discomfort, or even future injuries.
Fixation is not always a part of fracture care. Simple fractures where the ends of the bones remain in place can usually be treated with a cast or splint to keep the area stable while the ends join together over time. Instead, fixation techniques are most appropriate for fractures that are misaligned or when bones break into more than two “parts” (comminuted fractures).
We may recommend fixation for fractures involving a joint or near a joint to help prevent stiffness and support healthy joint function in the future, or for fractures in weight-bearing bones, like the leg bones. Fixation is also used for open fractures where the ends of the bones protrude through the skin.
Finally, patient factors also play a role. For instance, athletes and other people who rely on their limbs for their work or other activities may benefit from fixation to provide added support in areas where the bone may remain weak after a fracture. People with osteoporosis may benefit from the added stability provided by plates and rods, as well.
The best way to make sure you heal properly after a fracture is to seek specialized care as quickly as possible. To learn more about our patient-centered approach to fracture care, request an appointment online or over the phone with Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, today.
