What to Expect in a Bone Fracture Surgery?

Bone fracture surgery, also known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), is a procedure used to repair broken bones. It involves realigning the broken bones and securing them in place using metal screws, pins, rods, or plates. This surgery is typically necessary when a bone fracture is severe, involves a joint, or does not heal properly with non-surgical methods like casting or splinting. Here’s what you can expect during and after a bone fracture surgery:

Pre-Surgery Preparation

  1. Consultation with Your Doctor:
    • Discuss your medical history, including any chronic conditions or prior surgeries.
    • Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or are allergic to, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
    • Get imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to view the exact location of the fracture.
  2. Pre-Operative Instructions:
    • Your doctor may recommend not eating anything after midnight the day before the surgery.
    • Arrange for someone to drive you to the hospital or surgery center and take you home after the procedure.

Surgery Procedure

  1. Anesthesia:
    • You may be given general anesthesia to put you to sleep during the surgery or local anesthesia to numb only the broken limb.
  2. Incision and Bone Setting:
    • The surgeon will make an incision over the fracture site if a plate and screws are to be used. If a rod is needed, the incision may be at the end of a long bone.
    • The fractured bone is set into place, and metal screws, pins, rods, or plates are used to secure the bone in place. These can be either temporary or permanent.
  3. Bone Grafting:
    • If the bone is severely displaced or not healing properly, a bone graft may be performed. This involves inserting additional bone tissue to rejoin the fractured bone. After the bone graft, internal fixation is usually performed to hold the pieces together while the bone regrows.
  4. Closure and Dressing:
    • The incision wound is closed with stitches or staples, and the area is wrapped in a clean dressing.
    • The injured limb is typically placed in a cast after the procedure is complete.

Post-Surgery Recovery

  1. Pain Management:
    • You will experience some pain and swelling after the surgery. Icing, elevating, and resting the broken limb can help reduce inflammation.
    • Your doctor will prescribe painkillers to ease your discomfort. However, if your pain starts to worsen after a few days instead of getting better, call your doctor.
  2. Care Instructions:
    • Keep the surgical site clean and dry. Your doctor will give you instructions about how to care for your stitches or staples.
    • Expect some numbness at the incision site, but call your doctor if you begin to experience swelling redness, or foul-smelling discharge.
  3. Follow-Up Appointments:
    • Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and remove any stitches or staples.
    • You may need to stay in the hospital overnight or longer, depending on your progress after surgery.

Bone Growth Stimulator

A bone growth stimulator is a device that generates a gentle electric current to encourage bone growth. It is often used to stimulate bone remodeling after a fracture. Here’s how it can help:

  • Bone Growth Stimulator: The device helps to stimulate the growth of new bone tissue, which can aid in the healing process by enhancing the body’s natural bone-building mechanisms.
  • Reduced Healing Time: Studies have shown that using a bone growth stimulator can reduce the healing time for fractures by several weeks compared to traditional methods.

Call us!

If you are considering a bone growth stimulator to aid in your bone fracture healing process, fill out this contact form. We offer a range of bone growth stimulators designed to help you recover faster and more effectively. Our products are backed by scientific research and are recommended by orthopedic surgeons for post-fracture healing. Don’t hesitate to contact them for more information on how their devices can support your recovery.

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