Fracture fixation is the process of stabilizing fractured bones so that they heal in the proper position.
What is a Fracture?
A broken bone is also called a fracture. A fracture can come in many forms. It may be complete or incomplete, simple or comminuted (producing multiple bone splinters), and closed or open. Fractures can have many causes, including the following:
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Automobile accidents
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Sport injuries
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Falls
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Repeated stresses and strains
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Weak bones from health issues
Common Areas for Fractures
A fracture can occur in any bone in the body. Common fracture locations include the following:
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The humerus, which is your upper arm bone. It goes from your shoulder to your elbow.
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The femur, which is your thigh bone. It is the longest bone in the body, running from your hip to your knee.
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The patella, also known as the kneecap.
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Your lower leg where there are two long bones. The tibia is the larger bone on the inside of your lower leg. The fibula is the smaller bone located on the outside of your lower leg.
Bone Fracture Symptoms
Symptoms of a fracture vary by its location. Below are some common fracture symptoms to be aware of:
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A snap or a cracking sound that occurred at the time of injury.
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A visible deformity of your arm or leg in which the bone is bent at an unusual angle.
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An open fracture, or compound fracture, is where the bone is sticking out of the skin, and is a medical emergency
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Pain, swelling, or bruising around the injured area.
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The inability to use or move the affected limb.
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The inability to put weight on the injured area.
Any time you suspect that you may have a fractured bone, you should contact Dr. Cohen’s office immediately. If you experience a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if the injury is life- or limb-threatening. A delay in medical care can have significant consequences, including improper healing.
Fracture Treatment Options
The treatment of a fracture varies based on the following:
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The severity of the injury.
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The location of the fracture.
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The patient’s health.
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The patient’s lifestyle.
If you have a fracture, Dr. Cohen and/or a member of his team will discuss your treatment options with you. In many instances, a fracture can be treated without surgery by immobilizing the fractured site. This can be done with a sling, brace or cast.
Why Choose Dr. Cohen?
OVER 25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
One of the first orthopedic surgeons employed by a large hospital. Dr. Cohen spent 20 years.
TRUSTED BY OVER 100,000+ PATIENTS WORLDWIDE
Over his distinguished career, Dr. Cohen has cultivated a reputation of excellence and trust among his patients and his peers.
UTILIZING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
To achieve the best surgical outcomes, Dr. Cohen uses the most advanced technologies and techniques, keeping his practice state-of-the-art.
PATIENT SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY
An individualized, patient-focused process coupled with decades of training and experience helps ensure maximum safety for all of Dr. Cohen’s patients.
Fracture Fixation
In some instances, a fracture may require surgery to realign the bone(s) and allow proper healing. Dr. Cohen will discuss with you the best method to treat your fracture for the most successful outcome. In surgery, once Dr. Cohen has restored the normal alignment of your broken bone, he will stabilize the bone with a plate and screws on the surface of the bone, or with a rod placed down the central, hollow portion of the bone and held in place with crossing or locking screws.
The goal of fracture fixation is to realign and stabilize the broken bone(s) and enable the healing of the injured bone. The ultimate goal of fracture fixation is to achieve complete fracture healing and enable the patient to return to full mobility and function.
Fracture fixation can be either external or internal.
External fixation
External fixation means part of the hardware is located outside the skin. External fracture fixation is achieved through the following process:
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First, the surgeon drills small holes into the bone around the fracture.
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Then the surgeon inserts special surgical bolts into the holes in the bone.
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Pins or wires then connect the bolts to a hardware system located outside the body.
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Outside the body, the internal system is joined with a bar or other external hardware system.
Internal fixation
Internal fixation means the hardware is located inside the skin. The hardware is inserted surgically. The hardware may be left after the bone has healed or subsequently removed. The surgeon may use any of the following for internal fixation:
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Wires
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Pins
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Screws
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Plates
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Intramedullary nails or rods
Replacement surgery may be an option for certain fracture types of the hip, knee, and shoulder.
The type of fracture fixation used depends on your unique circumstances and on which bone is injured. After examining you, Dr. Cohen will discuss all of your treatment options with you.
Schedule Your Orthopedic Consultation
If you would like to learn more about your fracture fixation options, schedule a personal consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen by calling or emailing his office today. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cohen is a well-trained surgeon who offers a customized approach to your orthopedic care. He has extensive experience with fracture fixation and joint replacement for fractures of the hip, knee, leg, upper arm, or shoulder.
