Repairing Broken Bones
A broken bone reminds us that our body has its limits. It also prompts a renewed appreciation for our limbs and the significant role they play in not only the sports and hobbies we love but also essential everyday tasks.
Proper treatment and rehabilitation is key in restoring a limb to pre injury condition and avoiding future problems that can range from joint instability to arthritis.
Hand, wrist and other upper extremity fractures are among some of the most common types of fractures – as not only are our hands and upper extremity essential in performing everyday tasks but also serve as the first line of defense in breaking a fall or softening impact in an accident.
There are a number of different ways to treat a fracture depending on the severity of the break, other tissue damage and the characteristics of the break. Once thoroughly assessed, treatment will either be surgical or non surgical.
If surgery is required, it may entail internal fixation. This is hardware that helps hold the broken pieces together so that the bone can regenerate in ideal alignment.
What many of us may not realize is the array of different plates and screws designed uniquely for different finger fractures, wrist fractures, forearm fractures, elbow fractures and upper arm fractures. Each designed precisely for the varying size of these different bones and their natural contour.
What may also come as a surprise is the delicate size of the plates and screws that hold them in place – as an X-ray depicts a larger than life image. The actual plates and screws are far less invasive than many patients realize.