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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Do All Broken Legs Need Surgery Ie Plates & Screws ?

I broke my tibia and fibula just above my ankle, I was cast in fiberglass cast but my Dr wants to put in 2 plates and 6 screws, seems he is waiting till my insurance kicks in, but now I want to just let my leg heal, I can move my toes, I have a little pain, and am totally not putting weight on my leg, this happened on the ice 2 weeks ago. Do all breaks need surgery?
Mon, 14 Mar 2011
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi wwloserleader!
thanks for choosing healthcaremagic.com.internal fixation or ORIF as it is medically called has many indications-
Absolute- 1. Unable to obtain an adequate reduction
2. Displaced intra-articular fractures
3. Certain types of displaced epiphyseal fractures
4. Major avulsion fractures where there is loss of function of a joint or muscle group
5. Non-unions
6. Re- implantations of limbs or extremities

Relative
1. Delayed unions
2. Multiple fractures to assist in care and general management
3. Unable to maintain a reduction
4. Pathological fractures
5. To assist in nursing care
6. To reduce morbidity due to prolonged immobilisation
7. For fractures in which closed methods are known to be ineffective.
does you fracture fall in any of these categories ,if yes it qualifies for internal fixation.


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Do All Broken Legs Need Surgery Ie Plates & Screws ?

Hi wwloserleader! thanks for choosing healthcaremagic.com.internal fixation or ORIF as it is medically called has many indications- Absolute- 1. Unable to obtain an adequate reduction 2. Displaced intra-articular fractures 3. Certain types of displaced epiphyseal fractures 4. Major avulsion fractures where there is loss of function of a joint or muscle group 5. Non-unions 6. Re- implantations of limbs or extremities Relative 1. Delayed unions 2. Multiple fractures to assist in care and general management 3. Unable to maintain a reduction 4. Pathological fractures 5. To assist in nursing care 6. To reduce morbidity due to prolonged immobilisation 7. For fractures in which closed methods are known to be ineffective. does you fracture fall in any of these categories ,if yes it qualifies for internal fixation.