Fracture Fixation Information

For broken bones that the ends won't stay together or there's too many pieces, we have to find a way to squeeze them back together until they set. This method bone doctors (orthopedics) use is called 'FRACTURE FIXATION'.

There are 2 types: inside and outside the bone fixation. Both are surgical methods.

Outside (external) fixation is shown in our cartoon above at A. You're seeing some pins driven into the bone from outside the skin to hold the broken bones together. This method is preferred in open fractures (because using types B & C will risk infection through the gaping wound) and comminuted fractures - because you can put as many pins in as you need. Once the bone has fused, the pins are taken out and discarded.

Inside (internal) fixation is shown in B as a rod pushed down the center of the bone, and as C, a plate with screws going into the two ends of the bone. Both of these methods are used in broken bones that will not stay together and where there's no open skin wound. For B, the skin over the top of the bone is surgically slit and with a special hammer the nail is beaten down from the top, through the center of the bone, down through the crack, into the other end. It is left in the bone permanently strengthening it. In type C The skin over the crack(s) is also surgically slit and the 'hardware' introduced and screwed in one side of the bone over the crack. It too is left in.

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