Fracture and Trauma Care in Ahmedabad
If a bone is sticking out, bleeding is heavy, the limb looks bent, or the person cannot move it, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What Is Fracture and Trauma Care?
Fracture and trauma care is the treatment of broken bones, dislocated joints and injuries from accidents or falls. Depending on the injury, treatment can be a plaster cast, a splint, or surgery with plates, screws or rods. The aim is to help the bone heal in the right position so you can use the limb again.
What to Do After a Suspected Fracture
- Keep the injured limb still. Do not try to straighten it.
- Support it with a splint, a rolled newspaper or a sling.
- Stop bleeding by pressing on the wound with a clean cloth.
- Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth to lower swelling.
- Do not eat or drink if surgery may be needed.
- Go to a hospital as soon as possible.
Do not massage the area or let a bone-setter pull or manipulate it. This can cause more damage.
Injuries We Treat
- Fractures of the arm, forearm, wrist and collarbone
- Fractures of the hip, thigh bone, knee area and shin bone
- Ankle and foot fractures
- Dislocations of the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee
- Open fractures, where the bone breaks the skin
- Fractures in children and older adults
- Fractures that have not healed, called nonunion, or that healed in a bad position, called malunion
How Fractures Are Diagnosed
Your doctor examines the injury and checks blood flow and nerves. X-rays show the break. A CT scan or MRI may be used for joint fractures and complex injuries.
Treatment Options
- Plaster or splint. For fractures where bones are still in a good position.
- Reduction. The doctor gently puts the bone or joint back in position, often under anaesthesia.
- Plates and screws. Fix the bone from the outside surface. Often used in the forearm, ankle and around joints.
- Rods or nails. Placed inside the bone. Often used for the thigh bone and shin bone.
- Wires and external fixators. Hold the bone in place, often in open fractures or when the skin is badly injured.
- Hip fracture surgery. Fixing or replacing the hip in older adults, ideally within 1 to 2 days of injury.
- Wound care and antibiotics. Open fractures need antibiotics and surgical cleaning quickly to lower infection risk.
How Long Do Fractures Take to Heal?
Most fractures take 6 to 12 weeks to heal, but this depends on the bone, your age, health and whether you smoke or have diabetes. Children usually heal faster than adults. Some large bones and complex fractures take longer.
Follow-up X-rays check if the bone is healing. Physiotherapy helps bring back movement and strength.
Tips for Better Healing
- Follow weight bearing advice exactly
- Eat enough protein, calcium and vitamin D
- Do not smoke, since it slows bone healing
- Keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes
- Keep follow-up appointments
- Do your physiotherapy exercises
Why Choose Dr. Ruchir Patel for Fracture Care
- More than 3,000 trauma surgeries performed at Vatrak (SFGG) Trust Hospital
- Handled 70 to 80 surgeries a month and about 100 OPD patients a day
- Postgraduate training in trauma at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad
- Treats patients with insurance and PMJAY or MA cards
Cost of Fracture Treatment
Cost depends on the bone, the type of fracture, whether surgery is needed, the implants used and the hospital stay. A plaster cast costs much less than surgery with implants. A written estimate is given after examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a bone is broken?
Signs include severe pain, swelling, bruising, a bent shape and not being able to use the limb. An X-ray confirms it.
Do all fractures need surgery?
No. Many heal well in plaster. Surgery is advised when the bone has moved out of place, when the fracture involves a joint, or when the bone is broken in many pieces.
How long does a broken bone take to heal?
Usually 6 to 12 weeks, but it depends on the bone and the person.
Can I go to a bone-setter for a fracture?
It is not advised. Pulling or massaging a fracture can damage nerves, blood vessels and the bone.
When can I walk after leg fracture surgery?
This depends on the fracture and the surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when to start putting weight on the leg.