When is Internal Fixation Necessary?

Have you or a loved one broken a bone? Many children and adults have casts on an arm or a leg. That’s one way doctors heal a broken bone, but sometimes the break is more severe. Then your surgeon uses a surgical procedure called internal fixation to repair your broken bone, using metal nails, screws, or other hardware to hold the bone in place. Don’t worry. You’re under general anesthesia when this surgery takes place.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Shults with Coastal Empire Orthopedics treats many broken bones. If a fracture is complex, Dr. Shults needs to use internal fixation to heal a broken bone or bones. The following are examples of complex fractures. 

Broken bones that pierce the skin  

If you or your loved one sustains an open fracture, also called a compound fracture, your bone has broken through your skin. This is more serious than a break that doesn’t open a wound on your skin because bacteria may seep into your wound. You may get an infection, which delays healing. 

An open fracture is an emergency. Dr. Shults must ensure your bone is returned to its correct position. Dr. Shults puts your bone back into position, using rods, screws, nails, and wires to keep it in place. Your body starts making new bone tissue almost immediately. However, it takes months for the material to harden and calcify, so your complete recovery takes months. 

Unstable bones 

You may have a break, which creates unstable bones. The ends of the bones aren’t lined up as they should be; they’re misaligned. A cast won’t fix misaligned bones. If not corrected surgically, your bones won’t join together normally; you’ll be in pain. When Dr. Shults uses internal fixation, your bones are realigned. Metal screws, wires, or nails keep them in place while they’re healing. 

Bone fragments 

Your bone may have broken into several fragments. Dr. Shults uses instruments to move the bone fragments back into place. Then he uses tools such as stainless steel or titanium rods, screws, nails, wires, and plates to keep the pieces in position while your body heals. 

Severity of break 

Internal fixation is normally required in an emergency such as a vehicle accident or other traumatic injury. When the break is too severe for a cast or splint, physicians use internal fixation to ensure your bone heals correctly. 

Internal fixation wasn’t a standard option for broken bones until the mid-20th century. This method helps ensure the bone heals correctly and enables you to heal more quickly than the older methods. 

Call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment online today for all your musculoskeletal concerns.