Do all fractures require an operation?

Fractured bones can heal regardless of whether an operation is performed or not. If the alignment of a fracture is acceptable and the bracing/casting method that is being used is comfortable, then most fractures can be treated without surgery. At ACCESS ORTHO, your injury and your X-rays will be assessed by highly experienced staff (with full oversight by qualified orthopaedic surgeons that have extensive experience in acute trauma management and fracture treatment), and the best course of action for you and your injury will be instigated.

The first (and usual) reason for fixing a fracture with an operation is if the fracture is in a poor or unacceptable position and requires surgery to realign it back to a better position. Other reasons for needing surgery for a fracture is if there has been progressive movement of a fracture into a poor position despite appropriate use of cast or brace, if there is a significant soft tissue injury or wound near to the fracture that requires surgery itself, if there has been a compound fracture (the bone ends have broken through the skin) or if there is injury to important structures other than just bone (blood vessels, nerves, tendons, ligaments).

The medical staff at ACCESS ORTHO are well equipped to provide timely advice about the best treatment method for your particular injury. Non-operative treatments (bracing/ splinting/ casting) are carried out in our consulting rooms and if further treatment (surgery) is required, the ACCESS ORTHO Surgeons will either continue your onwards care or refer you to one of their surgeon colleagues at a hospital or within a region of your choice. Our team will always make any further follow-up or treatment referrals for you so that these occur in a timely and efficient manner.