Correcting Damage From An Ankle Fracture
Ankle injuries may be common, but depending on underlying conditions, the recovery process might not be linear. Sometimes, people experience ankle fractures because of a fall or even sustained repetitive motions and bad footwear. What makes a bone break in the ankle concerning is that some fractures are not severe enough to prevent walking or sustaining pressure on the injury site. As a result, a minor ankle fracture may worsen with continued activity such as walking or running. While most people heal by simply resting the joint and avoiding strenuous activity, other individuals may need more serious interventions like an ORIF repair surgery.
ORIF surgery explained
ORIF stands for open reduction internal fixation and is a type of surgery designed to fix severely broken bones. Therefore, not every person with an ankle fracture is a good candidate for this type of operation. Physicians will usually only recommend the surgery if a bone break is severe enough to be unlikely to respond well to traditional immobilization techniques like wearing a cast or splint.
Best candidates for ORIF
One of the most important criteria for recommending ORIF surgery for ankle repair is the nature of the fracture injury. For example, a surgeon may encourage the operation for individuals who experienced a break in multiple locations within the joint, an ankle that moves out of position, bones that poke through the skin, or even for a person who previously suffered a broken ankle that didn't heal properly. Additional factors such as pain reduction and restored mobility are also overall goals.
What to know about ORIF
Once surgery is recommended, some people may have the procedure right away, while other individuals will need to schedule for a future date. The surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon and may take several hours to complete because of the two-part process. Likewise, depending on the case's complexity, the treatment may be done as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure.
What to expect during surgery
During an ORIF surgery, the goal is to properly stabilize and realign the broken bone to promote proper healing. The procedure typically requires general anesthesia, so the patient will be asleep during the process. The open reduction in ORIF refers to creating an incision in the ankle to easily access the injury site and reposition the broken bones. Internal fixation is when materials are used to effectively stabilize the injury to boost recovery. Common options include plates, screws, wires, rods, or even nails. By holding the bones steady, surgeons can minimize the risk of abnormal healing, which might result in pain, reduced mobility, or the need for future corrective treatments.
Recovering from ORIF
If ORIF is treated as an inpatient procedure, individuals may spend a few days in the hospital being closely monitored. For outpatient procedures, patients may spend a few hours in observation before being released to go home. For both scenarios, people are encouraged to follow the surgeon's recovery guidelines. Immediate tips might include keeping the injured ankle elevated, taking prescribed medications to facilitate healing and pain management, or even temporarily using a brace to keep the ankle steady to boost healing. If complications arise during the recovery period at any time, don't hesitate to contact the surgeon or visit an emergency room for immediate treatment.
