Fracture Surgery
Restoring alignment, stability, and function after a broken bone.
Specialized orthopedic care for complex fractures of the upper extremity.
Fracture Surgery Overview
Fracture surgery realigns and stabilizes a broken bone to help it heal in the proper position.
During the procedure, the orthopedic surgeon repositions the bone fragments and secures them using plates, screws, pins, wires, or other fixation devices when appropriate. The surgical approach depends on the location and complexity of the fracture, joint involvement, and surrounding tissue damage.
Conditions Commonly Treated
The Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team diagnoses and treats:
- Shoulder fractures
- Collarbone fractures
- Upper arm fractures
- Elbow fractures
- Forearm fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Hand and finger fractures
- Fractures involving a joint
- Fractures that have not healed properly
When Surgery Is Recommended
Fracture surgery may be recommended when:
- The broken bone has moved out of its normal position
- The fracture is unstable or contains multiple bone fragments
- The break extends into a joint
- The bone has broken through the skin
- Nearby nerves, blood vessels, tendons, or ligaments are affected
- Proper alignment cannot be maintained with a cast or splint
- The bone is healing slowly or in the wrong position
- Surgical stabilization offers the best opportunity to restore function
Clarus Surgical Approach
At Clarus Orthopedic Surgery, fracture treatment is tailored to the location, pattern, and severity of the break. When surgery is needed, the orthopedic surgeon repositions and stabilizes the bone using the fixation method best suited to the injury, then monitors healing through follow-up evaluations and imaging.
Have questions about fracture surgery? Contact our team to schedule an evaluation.
Preparing for Fracture Surgery
Before surgery, the Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team and anesthesia team provide detailed preparation instructions. General preparation instructions include:
- Do not eat solid foods or consume milk, creamer, gum, candy, or mints after midnight before surgery.
- Follow instructions regarding clear liquids. If no stop time is provided, discontinue clear liquids at midnight.
- Follow medication instructions provided by your anesthesia team, and notify the Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team if you are taking or begin taking any prescription blood thinners before surgery.
- Have a care partner remain in the building during surgery to receive updates from your care team.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery and stay with you through the first night after surgery.
Additional preparation may include imaging, laboratory testing, or temporarily immobilizing the injured area. Because some fractures require prompt treatment, preparation instructions and surgical timing may vary.
Recovery Following Fracture Surgery
Recovery varies depending on the spinal procedure performed and individual healing.
Diet & Activity Guidelines
Resume eating according to the instructions provided by your surgical team. Walking is generally encouraged after surgery, but lifting, movement, and activity restrictions will depend on the fracture and procedure performed.
Expected Recovery Symptoms
Temporary soreness, swelling, bruising, fatigue, and discomfort near the incision are common during recovery.
Driving & Daily Activities
Return to daily activities according to the instructions provided by your orthopedic surgeon. Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication or until your surgical team determines that it is safe.
Incision Care & Follow-Up Visits
Follow the instructions provided for showering and incision care. Follow-up visits and imaging may be used to monitor healing and determine when activity can safely increase.
Post-Surgical Medication Guidance
Following surgery, some patients may require prescription pain medication or other medications to support recovery. Recommendations vary based on the procedure performed, medical history, and individual recovery needs.
Pain Management
Take medications as directed by your care team. Many patients gradually transition from prescription pain medication to over-the-counter pain relief as recovery progresses.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact our team immediately if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Severe or worsening pain
- Increasing swelling that does not improve with elevation
- New numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation
- Fingers that become pale, blue, unusually cold, or difficult to move
- A cast, splint, or dressing that feels excessively tight
- Fever greater than 101.5°F
- Pain not relieved with medication
- White, yellow, or green drainage from the incision
- Persistent bleeding or separation of the incision
Small amounts of clear or pink-tinged drainage can be normal during early healing. After-hours calls are answered by the on-call service, which will reach the orthopedic provider on call. If you feel your situation is an emergency, call 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency room and ask the treating team to contact us immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a broken bone needs surgery?
Surgery may be recommended when a fracture is displaced, unstable, extends into a joint, or cannot remain properly aligned in a cast or splint. Clarus Orthopedic Surgery evaluates the fracture pattern, imaging results, and surrounding tissue damage to determine the most appropriate treatment.
What happens during fracture surgery?
During fracture surgery, the orthopedic surgeon returns the broken bone fragments to the proper position and stabilizes them while they heal. Depending on the injury, plates, screws, pins, wires, or other fixation devices may be used. The Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team will explain the planned repair before your procedure.
How long does recovery take after fracture surgery?
Recovery depends on the bone involved, severity of the fracture, procedure performed, and individual healing. Follow-up examinations and imaging allow the Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team to monitor bone healing and determine when movement, lifting, work, and other activities can safely resume.
Will plates and screws need to be removed after the fracture heals?
Plates and screws can often remain in place after the bone heals. Removal may be considered if the hardware causes pain, irritation, restricted movement, or another concern. The Clarus Orthopedic Surgery team will monitor your recovery and discuss removal if it becomes medically appropriate.
Will I need physical therapy after fracture surgery?
Physical or occupational therapy may be recommended to restore movement, strength, and function. The need for therapy and when it begins depend on the injured bone and stability of the repair. Clarus Orthopedic Surgery will provide rehabilitation guidance based on your procedure and recovery progress.
