Fort Myers ORIF Surgery

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Open Reduction and Internal Fixation refers to surgery to repair a broken shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle bones

 

However, most bones are not displaced and often fractures may be treated with a supportive sling, cast, splint, and / or rehabilitation. It’s only if the fracture fragments are 5 mm apart, the angle between the fragments is more than 45 degrees, the bone is producing from the skin, misaligned, or the joint is dislocated that ORIF surgery might be an option.

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Open reduction and internal fixation refers to:

 

• Open Reduction means the bone is positioned back to the right place.

• Internal Fixation means that hardware such as screws, rods, or pins is applied to hold the broken bones together.

 

ORIF is usually considered with severe breaks and because this situation is generally an accident, the surgery might be immediate. The objective is to restore the anatomy to normal and expand the  range of motion and function.

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ORIF Surgery Process
 

The surgical procedure involves anesthesia, the incision, moving the bone into place and using materials such as rods, metal plates, sutures, or screws to hold bone together to heal. The incision is then closed and covered with a bandage, splint, or cast to protect the repair.

 

Recovery and Risks
 

Complete recovery generally takes three to 12 months and may include physical therapy, pain management, and limb elevation or ice to reduce swelling.

 

Risks are the same as any surgery like bleeding requiring a transfusion, infection, or an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. With ORIF, other risks include nerve damage, hardware moving out of place, problems moving the limb, incomplete bone healing, and muscle spasms.

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ORIF Benefits
 

The goal is to:

 

• Restore the bone to its normal function

• Decrease pain

• Assist in the bone healing process

• Prevent further injury

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