Specialty Procedures
/Elbow • Hip • Shoulder • Wrist • Arm • Hand • Knee • Foot/Ankle

Fracture Care

Fracture care focuses on restoring the alignment and stability of a broken bone so the body can heal as effectively as possible. Treatment varies considerably depending on which bone is fractured, the pattern and severity of the break, whether the surrounding tissues or joint are involved, and the patient's overall health. North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists treats Fractures involving areas including the arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, hip, knee, foot and ankle. While many fractures can heal without surgery, complex or unstable injuries may require surgical fixation or repair.

Who Needs It

Nonsurgical fracture care may be appropriate when broken bone fragments remain in an acceptable position and can be kept stable while healing. Treatment may include a cast, splint, brace or other form of immobilization. Surgical treatment may be recommended when a fracture is displaced, unstable, extends into a joint, breaks through the skin or cannot be adequately aligned and maintained without surgery. Surgery may also be considered for fractures that have not healed properly, including fracture nonunion.

The treatment decision is based on the specific injury and factors such as age, activity level, bone quality and overall health.

How Does It Work

When surgery is necessary, the goal is generally to restore alignment and provide enough stability for healing. This process is often called fracture fixation. Depending on the location and fracture pattern, fixation may involve plates, screws, pins, wires, rods or other specialized implants that hold the bone in the appropriate position. Fractures involving joints may require precise restoration of the joint surface to help preserve movement and function.

More complex fracture repair may also involve addressing damaged ligaments, tendons or other surrounding tissues. For a fracture nonunion, additional procedures such as bone grafting may be used to help stimulate healing.

Recovery

Recovery varies significantly based on the bone involved and severity of the injury. Some patients can begin controlled movement relatively early, while others need a longer period of protection before placing weight or stress on the healing bone.

Follow-up imaging allows the orthopaedic team to monitor healing and determine when activity can safely progress. Physical or occupational therapy may also be incorporated to restore motion, strength and function. Returning to work, sports and other activities is typically gradual and based on both bone healing and functional recovery.