Open Reduction With Fixation

At Welbeck, open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) surgery is carried out by our consultant orthopaedic surgeons under general anaesthesia. 

ORIF gets its name from the 2 separate parts of the surgery, which include:

• open reduction – where your surgeon makes cuts in your skin to access your broken bone, and move the pieces back into their natural positions

• internal fixation – where your surgeon uses metal instruments such as rods, screws, wires, plates or a combination of these, to hold (fixate) the pieces of your broken bone together

After the bone is in its proper position, your orthopaedic surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and apply a bandage. Most people need a cast after surgery, but you may only need a splint, depending on which bone is broken.

ORIF surgery is usually very successful, but as with all forms of surgery, it may lead to side effects and complications, such as:

• acute compartment syndrome – a buildup of pressure in your muscles that stops blood from getting to the tissues, which can cause permanent muscle and nerve damage

• bone infection (osteomyelitis) – if you have an open fracture, it can increase the risk of a bacterial infection

• blood clots – ORIF can increase the risk of blood clots in blood vessels near your broken bone while you recover

• anaesthetic complications – from temporary side effects like nausea and vomiting to rare but serious issues, such as allergic reactions, nerve damage, and breathing difficulties

• malunion – when your broken bones don’t line up correctly while they’re healing (rare)

• nonunion – when your bones don’t grow back together fully or at all (rare)

ORIF is usually performed as an emergency procedure, but in some cases, your surgery may be postponed to allow for any swelling around the fracture to go down. If this happens, you’ll need to wear a cast or splint until your procedure takes place.

You may need to stop taking some medications for a few days before your operation, and you’ll also need to fast before your surgery, which means not eating or drinking anything but water for 12 hours before your operation. 

As individual rules can vary, you’ll be given all the information you need when you book your appointment.

Recovery times for ORIF surgery depend on many factors, but it can take anywhere from 3 months to a year.

After surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room, where you’ll be monitored. You may not need to stay overnight for some types of ORIF surgery, like an arm fracture, but for leg fractures, you’ll need to be monitored at the clinic for a few days. 

When you’re able to go home, organise for someone to pick you up and drop you home, as you won’t be able to drive.

Once you’re discharged, you may be given:

• painkillers – to manage any pain

• antibiotics – to prevent infection

• advice to speed up healing – such as applying ice to the affected area, and sleeping with it elevated, if possible

• a follow-up appointment – to check that your fracture is healing properly, and to remove any stitches or staples put in during the surgery

• physiotherapy – your consultant will refer you to a specialist who can show you a set of exercises to help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion to the affected muscles and joints

Please contact our Orthopaedic centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book open reduction with fixation surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopaedic consultant following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopaedic specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.