Fracture Treatment & Surgery Guide — R.K. Hospital Bhopal

Overview

A fracture (broken bone) can result from trauma such as falls, road accidents, or sports injuries, as well as from conditions that weaken bones like osteoporosis. Treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture. While some fractures heal well with immobilisation in a cast or splint, others require surgical fixation to restore proper alignment, ensure stable healing, and prevent complications. At R.K. Hospital & Research Centre, our orthopaedic and trauma team provides 24/7 emergency fracture care — from initial X-ray diagnosis to definitive treatment. Surgical options include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws, intramedullary nailing for long bone fractures, external fixation for open or severely comminuted fractures, and percutaneous pinning for certain wrist and hand fractures. With on-site digital X-ray, a well-equipped operation theatre, and experienced surgeons, we deliver comprehensive fracture management from emergency stabilisation through rehabilitation.

Who Needs Fracture Surgery (Fixation)?

• •Patients with displaced fractures where the bone fragments have shifted out of alignment and cannot heal correctly without surgery
• •Individuals with open (compound) fractures where the bone has broken through the skin, requiring urgent wound care and fixation
• •Patients with fractures involving joints (intra-articular fractures) that need precise alignment to prevent arthritis
• •Those with unstable fractures — such as comminuted (multiple fragments) or spiral fractures — that cannot be held in position by a cast alone
• •Patients with fractures that fail to heal (non-union) or heal in a crooked position (malunion) after initial conservative treatment

How to Prepare

1. 1Emergency assessment including physical examination and X-rays of the injured area in at least two views to determine fracture type and displacement
2. 2CT scan may be ordered for complex joint fractures to plan the surgical approach in detail
3. 3Blood tests including complete blood count, blood group, blood sugar, and coagulation profile
4. 4The fracture is temporarily stabilised with a splint and pain medication is administered while awaiting surgery
5. 5For open fractures: wound cleaning, IV antibiotics, and tetanus prophylaxis are started immediately in the emergency room
6. 6Fast for 6–8 hours before surgery; emergency cases may proceed with a rapid-sequence anaesthesia protocol

What Happens During the Procedure

1. 1Surgery is performed under general or regional (spinal/nerve block) anaesthesia depending on the fracture location
2. 2For ORIF: an incision is made over the fracture site, the bone fragments are realigned (reduced) under direct vision, and fixed with metal plates, screws, or both
3. 3For intramedullary nailing: a metal rod is inserted into the hollow centre of the long bone (femur, tibia) through a small incision, and locked in place with screws at both ends
4. 4For external fixation: metal pins are inserted into the bone through small skin incisions above and below the fracture, connected by an external frame to hold the bones in alignment
5. 5For percutaneous pinning: thin metal wires (K-wires) are inserted through the skin into the bone fragments under fluoroscopy (live X-ray) guidance to hold them in place
6. 6Intra-operative fluoroscopy (C-arm X-ray) is used to confirm satisfactory fracture alignment and implant position before closing

Recovery & Aftercare

• ✓Hospital stay varies from 1–2 days for simple fixations to 5–7 days for major or open fractures
• ✓Pain management with medications, ice application, and elevation of the injured limb to control swelling
• ✓Weight-bearing status depends on the fracture and fixation: some patients can walk with support immediately, while others must avoid weight-bearing for 6–8 weeks
• ✓Physiotherapy begins early — gentle range-of-motion exercises start within days, followed by progressive strengthening as the bone heals
• ✓Follow-up X-rays at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months to monitor bone healing and implant position
• ✓Most fractures achieve solid union by 6–12 weeks for upper limb and 12–24 weeks for lower limb bones; implant removal is optional and usually done after 12–18 months if needed

Risks & Considerations

Like any medical procedure, there are some risks. Your doctor will discuss these in detail during consultation.

• ⚠Infection at the surgical site or around the implant — minimised with prophylactic antibiotics and sterile technique; higher risk in open fractures
• ⚠Non-union (failure of the fracture to heal) or delayed union — may require additional procedures like bone grafting
• ⚠Implant failure (plate bending, screw loosening) — rare with proper fixation technique and patient compliance with weight-bearing restrictions
• ⚠Nerve or blood vessel injury near the fracture site — rare and carefully avoided during surgery
• ⚠Stiffness of nearby joints from prolonged immobilisation — reduced with early physiotherapy
• ⚠Compartment syndrome in severe injuries — monitored carefully in the early post-injury period and treated with emergency fasciotomy if needed

Cost in Bhopal

Frequently Asked Questions