Internal Fixation for Hip Fracture

Picture of internal fixation for a hip fracture

Internal fixation means that the surgeon lines up the pieces of bone using metal plates, rods, nails and screws and then closes the skin over the surgery site. The metal pieces hold the bone together while it heals, and they stay in the leg permanently. This picture shows one type of hip fracture and the way it might be repaired.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerKenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma
Last RevisedMay 10, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: May 10, 2011
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma

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