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Bone plate surgery for closed fractures is one of the common methods for treating closed fractures. Compared with other treatment methods, it has many significant advantages. The following is a detailed introduction for you:
Strong fixed stability
Provide reliable support: The bone plate can closely adhere to the fracture site, providing solid support for the fracture ends and effectively preventing the displacement of the fracture ends. For instance, in long shaft fractures, such as femoral shaft fractures, the bone plate can cross the fracture line, firmly fixing the bones at both ends of the fracture together, keeping the fracture site stable when bearing the body weight and the stress generated by daily activities, and creating a favorable mechanical environment for fracture healing.
Resistance to rotation and angulation: In addition to preventing the anterior-posterior and left-right displacement of the fracture ends, the bone plate can also resist rotation and angulation deformities of the fracture ends. For surgical neck fractures of the humerus, if not properly fixed, the fracture ends are prone to rotation, affecting the recovery of shoulder joint function. After fixation with bone plates, the abnormal movement of the fracture ends can be restricted, ensuring that the fractures heal in the correct position, thereby better restoring the normal function of the joint.
Promote fracture healing
Maintain stable contact at the fracture ends: Stable fixation can keep the fracture ends in good contact, which is conducive to the formation and growth of callus. Callus is an important tissue in the process of fracture healing. It gradually forms around the fracture ends and connects the two ends of the fracture, eventually achieving fracture healing. Bone plate fixation reduces the micro-movement at the fracture end, provides a stable environment for the growth of callus, and accelerates the process of fracture healing.
Improving local blood supply: During the operation, doctors will try their best to minimize damage to the soft tissues and blood vessels around the fracture to ensure blood supply to the fracture site. Good blood supply is one of the key factors for fracture healing. It can provide sufficient nutrients and oxygen to the fracture ends, promote cell proliferation and differentiation, and accelerate the speed of fracture healing.
It is convenient for early functional exercise
Reduce the risk of joint stiffness: As the bone plate fixation provides sufficient stability, patients can start functional exercises earlier after the operation. Early activities can promote blood circulation in the soft tissues around the joints, preventing joint stiffness and muscle atrophy. For example, after the fixation of the tibial plateau fracture bone plate, patients can effectively avoid knee stiffness and improve the range of motion of the joint by performing early knee flexion and extension activities under the guidance of a doctor.
Promoting functional recovery: Through early functional exercise, patients can restore limb function more quickly, reduce complications caused by long-term immobilization, and improve their quality of life. For instance, for patients with wrist fractures, early functional exercises for the fingers and wrists can help restore fine motor skills and grip strength in the hands, enabling them to return to normal life and work more quickly.
Indications are extensive.
It is applicable to various types of fractures: whether it is a simple linear fracture or a complex comminuted fracture, bone plate surgery can be personalized in design and operation according to the specific conditions of the fracture. For some elderly patients with osteoporosis, due to their poor bone quality, traditional external fixation methods may not provide sufficient stability. However, bone plate fixation can select appropriate internal fixation materials and fixation methods based on the patient’s bone condition, thereby improving the reliability of fixation.
Bone plate surgery can also be combined with other treatment methods to achieve better therapeutic effects. For instance, in some complex intra-articular fractures, arthroscopic debridement and reduction can be performed first, followed by fixation with bone plates. This approach not only ensures the flatness of the joint surface but also provides stable fixation, which is conducive to the recovery of joint function.
There are relatively fewer complications.
The risk of infection is controllable: Compared with external fixation frames, bone plates are located under the skin, reducing contact with the external environment and lowering the risk of infection. During the operation, doctors will strictly adhere to the principle of aseptic operation. After the operation, appropriate antibiotics will also be given to patients to prevent infection, further reducing the incidence of infection.
Other complications are relatively few: Bone plate fixation generally does not cause complications such as needle tract infection and screw tract loosening like external fixators. Moreover, with the continuous improvement of internal fixation materials and surgical techniques, complications such as nerve injury and vascular injury caused by bone plate surgery are becoming less and less.