Not all fractures require surgery. Many fractures can heal successfully with non-surgical treatments like casts, braces, or splints. However, some fractures, particularly severe or complex ones, necessitate surgical intervention.
When Surgery is Necessary for Fractures
Several factors determine whether a fracture needs surgery. These include:
- Severity of the fracture: Severely displaced fractures, where the broken bone pieces are significantly out of alignment, often require surgery to reposition the bones (reduction) and stabilize them.
- Type of fracture: Certain fracture types, such as comminuted fractures (where the bone is broken into multiple pieces), are more likely to need surgery for proper healing.
- Location of the fracture: Fractures in weight-bearing bones or those near joints may need surgical intervention to ensure proper alignment and function.
- Patient factors: The patient's overall health, age, and activity level can influence the decision to pursue surgical versus non-surgical treatment.
- Failure of non-surgical treatment: If a fracture doesn't heal properly with conservative management, surgery may become necessary. This can include instances where bone grafting is required to stimulate healing.
Examples of surgical interventions include the use of plates, screws, nails, or pins to stabilize the broken bone and facilitate proper healing. The surgeon will determine the best approach based on individual circumstances.
As stated in multiple sources, "Fractures are treated in different ways and while some can be treated in a cast, brace, or splint, others require surgery to repair the fracture with plates, screws, nails or pins" [Source: Multiple Sources including North Arizona Orthopaedics and others listed]. The decision to perform surgery is made on a case-by-case basis by a qualified orthopedic surgeon, considering the specific fracture characteristics and the patient's overall health. While many fractures heal without surgery, serious fractures often require surgical intervention to achieve optimal healing and functional recovery.
