Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is a surgery to fix severely broken bones. It’s only used for serious fractures that can’t be treated with a cast or splint.
What is ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation? Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone. You might need this procedure to treat your broken ankle.
During an open reduction, orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery, so they are back in their proper alignment. In a closed reduction, a healthcare provider physically moves the bones back into place without surgically exposing the bone.
These injuries are usually fractures that are displaced, unstable, or those that involve the joint. “Open reduction” means a surgeon makes an incision to re-align the bone.
Potential complications following ORIF include post-surgical infection, malunion, nonunion, knee pain, malrotation, compartment syndrome and nerve injury [2–5].
The “open reduction” starts with the surgeon using an incision to access the bone and realign it, so it heals properly. Next, the “internal fixation” involves piecing the bone fragments together with hardware such as pins, plates, rods, screws, or a combination of these.
In the specific case of ORIF of a right ankle fracture driving may be resumed 3 weeks after full-weight bearing is possible.
It could be as long as six weeks before your injured ankle can bear weight, so you might have trouble getting around your workplace. You will be in a cast or brace for several weeks after surgery. Doing too much too soon might cause you to re-injure your ankle.
The bones are held together with hardware, such as metal pins, plates, rods, or screws. The hardware stays in your body permanently. Recovery from ORIF surgery can take from three to twelve months and often requires physical therapy. It is major surgery with the potential for complications.
You can expect some pain and swelling around the cut (incision) the doctor made. This should get better within a few days after your surgery. But it is normal to have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after surgery.
Can I drive while wearing my walking brace? This is another commonly asked walking boot question. In general while wearing a walking boot on the left foot is generally permissible, studies have shown that wearing one (or other similar types of footwear) on the right foot can adversely affect driving performance.
No walking on the foot is permitted until 6 weeks after surgery. You will then be allowed to walk in a walking boot.
It is never a good idea to drive yourself home from surgery, as anesthesia can slow reflexes, slow your thought processes, and can even cause amnesia in the hours following surgery. In fact, you should refrain from driving for the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving anesthesia.
Exercising While Non-Weight BearingExercising with resistance bands while you're sitting down.Lifting weights (while seated or when using a hands-free crutch)Limited yoga or calisthenics.Isometric exercises.Swimming or water aerobics.
3:5312:50Walking with Crutches and Reducing a Limp | Tim Keeley | Physio REHABYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA longer step with the left leg. And that'll make you commit. One a little bit more weight over thatMoreA longer step with the left leg. And that'll make you commit. One a little bit more weight over that foot as much as you can so you're spending time weight bearing over there.
Putting any weight on an operated foot or ankle can damage the repair that's been done. Bones need time to heal. Plates or screws that may have been added during surgery need the bones to heal around them. Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process.
Fixation can be: Internal: Involves the use of devices internally (under the skin) positioned within the patient's body. External: The devices are screwed into fractured bones to exit the skin and are attached to a stabilizing structure outside the body.
Although ORIF has advantages of direct look and restoration of normal function, its application still limited by the potential negative effects of nerve damage, swelling, incomplete healing of the bone, increased pressure and blood clot. CRIF has advantages of avoiding injury to the medial circumflex femoral artery.
3, 4 ORIF and ExFix are two methods frequently reported in the literature. ORIF can restore the anatomic structure of the bone, but it cannot avoid dissecting soft tissues which associate with recovery. 5 On the other hand, ExFix allows indirect reduction but causes less soft tissues damage.
Internal fixation refers to the method of physically reconnecting the bones. This might involve special screws, plates, rods, wires, or nails that the surgeon places inside the bones to fix them in the correct place. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally.
Your limb may need to stay immobile for a while. If you were given a sling, wheelchair, or crutches, use them as directed. Continue physical therapy. If your physical therapist taught you home exercises and stretches, do them regularly. It’s important to attend all your checkups after surgery.
ORIF is performed by an orthopedic surgeon. The surgery is used to fix fractures in the arms and legs, including bones in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Depending on your fracture and risk for complications, your procedure might be done immediately or scheduled in advance.
Overview. Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is a surgery to fix severely broken bones. It’s only used for serious fractures that can’t be treated with a cast or splint. These injuries are usually fractures that are displaced, unstable, or those that involve the joint. “Open reduction” means a surgeon makes an incision to re-align the bone.
ORIF isn’t for minor fractures that can be healed with a cast or splint. ORIF recovery can last 3 to 12 months.
ORIF recovery can last 3 to 12 months. You’ll need physical or occupational therapy, pain medication, and lots of rest.
ORIF is a two-part procedure. The surgery can take several hours, depending on the fracture.
They’ll also check the nerves near the broken bone. Depending on your surgery, you may go home that day or you might stay in the hospital for one to several days. If you have an arm fracture, you may go home later that day. If you have a leg fracture, you might have to stay longer.
Internal fixation refers to the method of physically reconnecting the bones. This might involve special screws, plates, rods, wires, or nails that the surgeon places inside the bones to fix them in the correct place. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally.
Most people do very well with ORIF for their ankle fracture. However, some rare complications do occasionally happen. Possible complications include:
If you fracture your ankle, you might need ORIF to bring your bones back into place and help them heal. During an open reduction, orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery, so they are back in their proper alignment. In a closed reduction, a healthcare provider physically moves the bones back into place without surgically ...
Your bones broke into several pieces. Your ankle is unstable. In these cases, ORIF can place your bones back into their proper alignment, increasing the chance that your bone will heal properly. You might need ORIF for a fracture that occurs anywhere along your ankle.
Most people do very well with ORIF for their ankle fracture. However, some rare complications do occasionally happen. Possible complications include: 1 Infection 2 Bleeding 3 Nerve damage 4 Skin complications 5 Blood clots 6 Fat embolism 7 Bone misalignment 8 Irritation of the overlying tissue from the hardware
You probably won’t need O RIF unless there is some reason your fracture might not heal normally with these conservative treatments. You are more likely to need ORIF if: The pieces of your leg are significantly out of alignment. Your broken bones punctured your skin. Your bones broke into several pieces.
You might not need ORIF if you fracture your ankle. Many people don’t. If possible, your healthcare provider will treat your fracture with more conservative treatments, like pain medicines, casts, or braces.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone. You might need this procedure to treat your broken shin bone (tibia) or your fibula.
In a “closed reduction,” a healthcare provider physically moves the bones back into place without surgically exposing the bone. “Internal fixation” refers to the method of physically reconnecting the bones.
If you fracture your tibia or fibula, you might need ORIF to bring your bones back into place and help them heal. During an “open reduction,” orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery to put them back into their proper alignment. In a “closed reduction,” a healthcare provider physically moves the bones back into place without surgically exposing the bone.
This might involve special screws, plates, rods, wires, or nails that the surgeon places inside the bones to fix them in the correct place. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally. The entire operation usually takes place while you are asleep under general anesthesia.
You might not need ORIF if you fracture your tibia or your fibula. Many people don’t. If possible, your healthcare provider will treat your fracture with more conservative treatments, like pain medicines, casts, or braces.
In some cases, your healthcare providers might perform your ORIF a little later. You might have your leg held immobile while you wait for your surgery. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prepare for the surgery. Ask whether you should stop taking any medicines ahead of time, like blood thinners.
You probably won’t need ORIF unless there is some reason your fracture might not heal normally with these conservative treatments. You are more likely to need ORIF if: The pieces of your leg are significantly out of alignment. Your broken tibia or fibula pierced through the skin.