Bone fracture repair surgery: A fractured bone is termed a broken bone. The fractures might be complete or partial. Orthopedic doctors use a variety of procedures to repair fractured bones based on their location, type, and severity. Some require surgery to repair, while others can heal just with a brace.

Fracture Healing

The healing process of a fractured bone is different in every individual who has had a fracture. The healing process depends on the nature & extent of the fracture, the stability after fracture fixation, and other biological processes. So, a proper treatment for the healing process is very important.

In this article, Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi, the best fracture treatment doctor in Hyderabad discusses how an orthopaedic doctor should treat bone fractures, the science behind bone healing, and also some home remedies to speed up the healing process.

Why do you need to get a bone fracture fixed?

Restoring the normal anatomy of the fractured part is one of the main goals of treatment so that every element of the broken bone is manipulated by the physician and restored to its proper anatomical position.

Bone fractures range from minor hairline fractures to severe open fractures and can lead to some serious complications. Irrespective of the type of fracture, you should always see an orthopaedic doctor for bone fracture repair surgery to prevent future complications.

Complications Associated with Untreated Fractured Bone

An untreated fractured bone poses many complications; sometimes, it can be life-threatening. Suppose you have a bone fracture and it does not get any treatment then there is a chance that it undergoes unusual healing, loss of function, or may become weak. Some other compilations of an untreated broken bone include:

Formation of blood clots.

Damage to the skin, tissues, or muscles surrounding your fracture.

Broken bone heals in an unusual position called malunion fracture.

The healing might take longer than usual which is called delayed union fracture.

The fracture might not heal and is termed as a non-union fracture.

Infections at the site of the fracture and so on.

Fat Embolism

If you have a fracture in the long bones such as the thigh bone, you might experience a serious problem called a fat embolism. In this condition, the fat particles released into your bloodstream are deposited in the capillaries of the lungs; this may lead to respiratory problems.

Ways to heal a fractured bone

The bone fracture repair surgery mostly depends on the location and severity of the fracture; a doctor might recommend the following treatment procedures:

Traditional cast

After the bone is repositioned, doctors immobilize your broken bone with plaster of Paris cast or fiberglass cast. The cast holds the broken bone and allows it to heal in a correct position. Casts are often used to treat fractures associated with legs, feet, hands, and other joint fractures.

Functional cast or brace

The functional cast or brace is quite different from the traditional cast immobilization. The brace allows limited and controlled movement to joints nearby.

Open Reduction

Bone fracture repair surgery: When you have had a severe bone fracture, an orthopedic surgeon suggests surgical intervention to fix the broken bone. The open reduction procedure involves exposing and repositioning the broken bone by hand. Open reduction fracture surgery is suggested if there are complex fractures or fractures that can’t be treated with a cast.

Open reduction is of two kinds

Open reduction with internal fixation: This procedure involves implanting metal rods inside the bone along or special screws & metal plates outside the bone to hold the broken bone pieces together

Open reduction with external fixation: In this procedure, an external device is placed on the outer surface of the injured limb after surgery. The surgeon uses metal pins or screws at the top and bottom of the fracture for support and to immobilize the bone during the healing process.

The stages of bone healing

When your bone breaks, you typically go through the below stages of healing:

The inflammatory phase

The first phase of healing is called the inflammatory phase, also termed fracture hematoma formation, which occurs immediately after an injury. According to studies, approx. 48 hours after an injury, the blood released by the fracture may tear the blood vessels. The blood begins to clot, forming a fracture hematoma. The blood flow disruption to the bone can lead to the destruction of bone cells around the fracture. This stage ends around one week after the fracture.

Bone Fracture Repair Steps: The phases

The repairing phase begins after a few days from the bone fracture. It lasts around 2 – 3 weeks. During this stage, cartilage and tissue are developed in and around the fracture site.

The tissue develops a soft collar at the bony ends of the fracture, and the tissue grows until both ends meet. This tissue growth is known as calluses, and it intends to stabilize the fracture. After some weeks, the tissue callus is replaced by a spongy bone callus called trabecular bone.

Bone remodeling

It is the final phase of fractured bone healing. In this stage, the spongy bone is replaced by solid bone, completing the process of healing.

Healing time for the fractured bones

Bone fracture recovery time: Based on the fracture severity and how well you follow the doctor’s prescriptions, the broken bone takes weeks to several months to heal. Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi, the best Orthopedic surgeon for bone fracture treatment in Hyderabad, says that the average time for bone healing is between 6 – 8 weeks. However, it varies depending on various factors. You may not feel pain even before the broken bone heals completely and is ready for regular activities.

Home remedies to speed up bone healing

The best technique to boost healing of the broken bone is to rest and limit the use of the fractured part. Some other methods to reduce healing time and boost up bone repair include:

Taking protein supplements which helps the bone to rebuild & heal on its own.

Taking antioxidants helps to remove free radicals generated by tissue damage.

Take mineral supplements as the bone is composed of minerals such as calcium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. They can help the bone to heal faster.

Take vitamin supplements as they are essential for bone rebuilding.

Take herbal supplements, if possible, to speed fracture healing under the guidance of an expert.

Doctors suggest some exercises boost healing. They need to be done under a doctor’s supervision.

Avoid smoking because smoke might delay the healing process.

There are many ways to treat a broken and to boost the healing process. If you are facing any problems even after the fracture treatment, it can also be addressed. The only thing you need to do is consult Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Sunshine Hospitals. He is one of the best doctors for fracture treatment in Hyderabad. In his 12+ years of experience, he has treated hundreds of bone fractures successfully. For bone fracture repair surgery meet him once.