OPEN FRACTURE MANAGEMENT

1. Revision fixation. Revision fixation is performed when the implant or fixation method used can be improved upon in the hope of achieving better biomechanics and recovery. It is incredibly difficult to identify which patients will benefit from these procedures as outcomes after surgery can be affected by a wide range of factors. Fixation can be augmented with additional screws or plates, or the entire implant can be replaced with a different prosthesis.
2. Bone Grafting: In some instances bone grafting is a measure that can be used alone or in combination with other procedures to redirect the bone towards healing. Bone grafting involves taking bone usually from the patient’s hip and packing it in around recipient bone where it is needed to stimulate healing.
3. Bone repositioning and alignment. Revision surgery also aims to realign the bone if its position is considered unacceptable after prior surgery. This works as an adjunct to bone grafts and new or revised implants to promote healing.
4. Bone and joint replacement surgery. Occasionally, when revision surgery is considered near or around a joint, the most reliable method may be to perform a joint replacement. This is especially useful for patients who have severe osteoarthritis adjacent to the bone that is problematic.