Indications for surgical therapy:
- Vascular and nerve injuries
- Joint fractures with step formation
- Irreducible fractures and dislocations (dislocations).
- Manifest compartment syndrome
- Open injury/fracture; for tibia/fibula (tibia/fibula) fractures, the risk of infection is significantly higher than for other locations
Basically, bone fracture therapy follows the principle: reduction – retention – follow-up. If there is a fracture with dislocation of the fracture ends, the bone must be returned to the anatomically correct position. If reduction cannot be achieved by traction or countertraction because, for example, soft tissue injuries or joint involvement are present, surgery is usually required. Retention involves fixation and immobilization of the fractured bone. This is achieved, for example, by means of a plaster cast. Postoperative treatment aims to restore functionality and includes, for example, rehabilitative measures.
Surgical fracture treatment is mainly performed for complicated fractures. Indications are soft tissue injuries, open fractures (broken bones), etc. Surgical intervention allows the use of a variety of aids, e.g. in reduction (screws, plates, etc.). The exact methods and possibilities are very extensive and will not be described in detail here. The following list provides a rough overview of operative procedures:
- Plate osteosynthesis
- Screw osteosynthesis
- Intramedullary nailing
- Tension-belt osteosynthesis
- Fixators external
- Locking nail
Risks of surgical therapy:
- Infection
- Vascular and nerve injury
- Risk of anesthesia
- Wound healing disorders
