Fracture Treatment and Orthopaedic Trauma Care in Surat

Fractures vary widely in location, severity and the structures they involve. The following categories are seen and managed at OPD and in surgical practice:

• Limb fractures — forearm (radius, ulna), humerus, femur, tibia, ankle and foot bones are among the most commonly encountered fractures in adults following trauma.
• Periarticular fractures — fractures around the knee, hip and shoulder that involve or are immediately adjacent to a joint surface, requiring careful assessment to preserve joint function.
• Fragility fractures in older adults — lower-energy fractures in patients with reduced bone density, including hip and wrist fractures, which often have implications beyond the fracture itself.
• Pediatric fractures — children's fractures, including growth-plate (Salter-Harris) injuries, which require age-appropriate assessment and management given their healing potential.
• Post-traumatic complications — malunion (fracture healed in a poor position), non-union (fracture that has not healed), and post-traumatic arthritis arising from prior joint injury.

Fracture management follows a structured pathway from initial assessment through to rehabilitation. Timelines vary considerably depending on which bone is involved, the severity of injury, the patient's age and general health, and whether surgery is required.

• Initial assessment — a full clinical history and examination, together with plain X-rays (and CT if required for complex fractures), are used to classify the fracture and plan treatment. Any associated soft-tissue, nerve or vascular injury is also assessed.
• Treatment — depending on findings, the fracture is immobilised in a cast or splint, or taken to the operating theatre for fixation. The urgency of surgery, if needed, is determined by the fracture type — open fractures and those with neurovascular compromise require earlier intervention.
• Healing and monitoring — repeat imaging at planned intervals checks that position is maintained (for non-surgical cases) or that fixation is progressing to union (for surgical cases). Implants are generally not removed once union is confirmed unless there is a specific indication.
• Rehabilitation — physiotherapy is a core part of recovery for most fractures, restoring range of motion, strength and function. The timing of weight-bearing and return to activity is guided by fracture type and healing progress.

The full timeline and what to expect at each stage are discussed in detail at the initial consultation.