Fracture treatment — cast or surgery?
Most patients want to know: will I need an operation? The answer depends on the fracture pattern:
- Cast treatment: undisplaced (not shifted) fractures of the wrist, foot, clavicle and ribs heal well without surgery
- Surgery needed: displaced fractures, fractures near joints, both-bone forearm fractures, most ankle fractures, all femur and tibia fractures in adults
- The deciding factor: will the bone heal in a correct position with a cast? If not, surgery is safer and gives a better result
Common fractures by bone
- Clavicle (collar bone) — very common; most heal in a sling; displaced mid-shaft and outer end fractures do better with a plate
- Humerus (upper arm) — proximal fractures (near shoulder) often treated in a sling; shaft and distal fractures usually need plating or nailing
- Radius & ulna (forearm) — displaced adult forearm fractures almost always need plate fixation
- Femur (thigh) — all adult femur fractures need a nail or plate; surgery within 24–48 hours
- Tibia & fibula (leg) — tibial shaft nailing; ankle fractures fixed with plates and screws
- Foot fractures — calcaneus (heel), metatarsal, toe fractures; many managed without surgery, displaced ones fixed
Emergency fractures — what to do
- Do not move the limb; support it in the position found
- Cover an open wound with a clean cloth; do not push bone back
- Go to the nearest accident and emergency — or call us directly
- Bring any previous X-rays and medical reports