Every day you will experience different accidents resulting in different types of injuries. Most people suffer bone fractures, forcing them to seek surgery to help correct their problems. Patients struggle to find a good specialist who can effectively treat their fractures without success. However, fracture surgery San Antonio orthopedic at Cody Covington, MD, has experience in fracture assessment and recommendations in case of surgery. You are guaranteed a smooth operation to help fix your fracture and ensure you heal naturally. They will take you through different imaging services to evaluate the extent of your injury and then formulate a treatment schedule that suits your needs. Here are some implants used for bone fracture fixation during surgery.
Plates
When you have a broken bone that needs to be held together, the doctor uses places to hold the broken pieces together. The doctor uses screws to attach the plates to the bones. Some plates are permanent such that they may be left in the broken area once you are healed, while others are removed after the bone heals. The doctor operates the broken area to gain access to the bone, where they assemble the broken bones and fix them using the plate. This reduces the chances of improper healing or malunion.
Screws
Most bone fractures use crews more than any other implants. Screws are designed based on the fracture type and how the screw will be used. They come in different sizes due to the different types and sizes of bones. They are used alone or with plates to hold a fracture. Once healed, the screws may be removed or left on the bone. They aid in healing since the bone heals and returns to its normal position. They also help shorten the hospital stay and the healing process.
Nails and rods
Some bone fractures, especially those involving long bones, are held together by inserting a rod or nail through the hollow center. Screws then hold this at each end to prevent the fracture from rotating or shortening and hold the rod tightly until the bone is completely healed. In most cases, the rods and screws are left in the bone after you are healed to avoid setbacks. This method is common in treating thigh bone and chin bone fractures.
Wires and pins
Some bones are too small to be held together using screws after surgery. The doctor uses wires or pins to hold these bones together. They are also used with other internal fixations where there are multiple fractures. They commonly fix hand or foot fractures since the areas contain small bones. They are then removed after some time to let the bones heal naturally. However, in some cases, they may be left permanently in the area.
Bone fractures have become common and also gained new treatment methods which help shorten the healing process. Traditionally, doctors relied on external fixation to stabilize a fracture. However, fracture surgery has helped stabilize fractured bones internally. The Cody Covington, MD, team cares about your well-being and will examine your injuries and formulate a treatment plan customized to your needs. You can begin by scheduling an online consultation or calling their office today!