Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
BOOKS
Browner, B., J. Jupiter, A. Levine, and P. Trafton. SkeletalTrauma: Fractures, Dislocations, Ligamentous Injuries, 3rd edition. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2002.
Canale, S. T. Campbell's Operative Orthopedics....
St. Louis: Mosby, 2003.
Eiff, M. P., R. L. Hatch, W. L. Calmbach, and M. K. Higgins. Fracture Management for Primary Care, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2002.
Staheli, L. T. Fundamentals of Pediatric Orthopedics, 3rd edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2003.
PERIODICALS
Henry, B. J., et al. "The Effect of Local Hematoma Blocks on Early Fracture Healing."Orthopedics 25(11) 2002: 1259–1262.
Ong, C. T., D. S. Choon, N. P. Cabrera, and N. Maffulli. "The Treatment of Open Tibial Fractures and of Tibial Non-union with a Novel External Fixator."Injury 33(9) 2002: 829–834.
Sammarco, V. J., and L. Chang. "Modern Issues in Bone Graft Substitutes and Advances in Bone Tissue Technology."Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America 7(1) 2002: 19–41.
Szczesny, G. "Molecular Aspects of Bone Healing and Remodeling."Polish Journal of Pathology 53(3) 2002: 145–153.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 6300 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018-4262. (847) 823-7186 or (800) 346-2267.
American College of Surgeons. 633 North Saint Claire Street, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 202-5000.
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036-3309. (202) 367-1161.
Orthopedic Trauma Association. 6300 N. River Road, Suite 727, Rosemont, IL 60018-4226. (847) 698-1631.
OTHER
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (Northwestern University), [cited February 28, 2003]
International Society for Fracture Repair, [cited February 28, 2003]
National Library of Medicine, [cited February 28, 2003]
University of Maryland College of Medicine, [cited February 28, 2003]
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This animation explains the meniscus of the knee, why it is important for knee function and what symptoms occur when it is diseased.
In this patient, a fall has resulted in fractures in the bones of the elbow (B). To repair the fracture, an incision is made in the elbow area (C), and the bones are fixed with screws to aid proper healing (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Other Information
Fracture repair is the process of rejoining and realigning the ends of broken bones. This procedure is usually performed by an orthopedist, general surgeon, or family doctor. In cases of an emergency, first aid measures should be evoked for temporary realignment and immobilization until proper medical help is available.
Fracture repair is required when there is a need for restoration of the normal position and function of the broken bone. Throughout the stages of fracture healing, the bones must be held firmly in the correct position. In the event the fracture is not properly repaired, malalignment of the bone may occur, resulting in possible physical dysfunction of the bone or joint of that region of the body.
Fracture repair is applied by means of traction, surgery, and/or by immobilization of the bones. The bone fragments are aligned as close as possible to the normal position without injuring the skin. Metal wires or screws may be needed to align smaller bone fragments. Once the broken ends of the bone are set, the affected area is immobilized for several weeks and kept rigid with a sling, plaster cast, brace or splint. With the use of traction, muscle pull on the fracture site is overcome by weights attached to a series of ropes running over pulleys. Strategically implanted electrical stimulation devices have proven beneficial in healing a fracture site, especially when the fracture is healing poorly and repair by other means is difficult.
Other Information
New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do.
-Dr. Michael Perry, Laser Spine institute
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