OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION (ORIF) SURGERY
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) is a surgical procedure used to repair severe bone fractures. In this surgery, an orthopedic surgeon realigns the broken bone fragments and secures them using medical-grade implants such as plates, screws, rods, or wires to ensure proper healing.
At the Best Orthopaedic Hospital in Agra, ORIF surgery is performed using advanced techniques to restore bone alignment, strength, and function.
WHEN IS ORIF SURGERY NEEDED?
Not all fractures require surgery. ORIF is recommended for fractures that cannot heal properly with casting or splinting alone, including:
Open (compound) fractures
Comminuted fractures (bone breaks into multiple pieces)
Displaced fractures (bone fragments move out of alignment)
Severe fractures caused by accidents, falls, or sports injuries
PREPARATION BEFORE ORIF SURGERY
Most fractures requiring ORIF are caused by sudden trauma, so there may be limited time to plan ahead.
Before surgery:
The patient is stabilized, especially in emergency cases
X-rays are taken to confirm the fracture
CT scans or MRI may be performed to assess severity and associated injuries
The surgical plan depends on:
Type and location of fracture
Bone involved
Severity of injury
Presence of other injuries
ORIF SURGERY PROCEDURE
ORIF surgery has two main steps:
1. Open Reduction
The surgeon makes an incision over the fractured area and carefully realigns the bone fragments into their natural position.
2. Internal Fixation
Once aligned, the bone is secured using internal implants such as:
Metal plates and screws
Rods or nails (commonly for long bones like the femur or tibia)
Wires or pins
Steps During Surgery
Administration of general or regional anesthesia
Incisions made near the fracture site
Bone fragments repositioned
Internal fixation applied
Incisions closed
Immobilization using a cast or splint
The surgery usually takes a few hours, depending on the complexity of the fracture
BENEFITS OF ORIF SURGERY
Proper bone alignment and healing
Reduced risk of re-fracture
Restoration of normal bone function
Improved long-term mobility and strength
ORIF is considered the gold standard treatment for complex fractures