Advanced Trauma & Fracture Treatment

The clavicle is one of the most commonly broken bones, usually from a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched hand. Many clavicle fractures heal well in a sling, but a fracture that is badly displaced, shortened or has broken through the skin generally does better with surgical fixation using a plate and screws.

Recovery: most patients begin gentle shoulder movement within a few weeks, with a return to heavier activity once healing is confirmed on X-ray.

The humerus runs from the shoulder to the elbow. Fractures near the shoulder are common in older patients after a fall; fractures of the shaft are more often seen after road accidents. Treatment depends on the location and on whether the nerve that runs alongside the bone has been affected – which is why these injuries need careful assessment rather than a cast alone.

The two forearm bones usually break together. Because the forearm has to rotate for everyday tasks – turning a key, a door handle, a tap – alignment matters more here than in many other fractures. Adult forearm fractures commonly need plate fixation to restore that rotation accurately.

Wrist fractures are among the most frequent injuries we see, typically from breaking a fall with an outstretched hand. They are also common in patients with osteoporosis. Treatment ranges from a cast for a stable, well-aligned fracture to plate fixation where the joint surface is involved.

Small bones, but the function they carry is disproportionate. A finger fracture that heals slightly rotated can leave the finger crossing over its neighbour when making a fist. Early, accurate treatment and hand therapy matter a great deal here.

A fracture at the top of the thigh bone, most often in older patients after a fall. These are urgent. The blood supply to the femoral head can be disrupted, so depending on the patient’s age and the fracture pattern, treatment may be internal fixation or a hip replacement.

Why speed matters: early surgery and early mobilisation significantly reduce the complications associated with prolonged bed rest in elderly patients.

A fracture just below the neck of the femur. The blood supply here is better than in a neck of femur fracture, so these are usually treated with internal fixation – commonly a dynamic hip screw or an intramedullary nail – allowing the patient to begin moving early.

The femur is the strongest bone in the body, so a shaft fracture usually means a high-energy injury such as a road accident. Treatment is typically an intramedullary nail passed down the centre of the bone, which provides strong fixation and allows early weight bearing.

A fracture at the lower end of the thigh bone, just above the knee. Because the fracture line runs close to the knee joint, restoring the joint surface accurately is essential to reduce the risk of later arthritis.

Usually caused by a direct blow to the front of the knee. If the patient cannot straighten the knee against gravity, the extensor mechanism is disrupted and surgical fixation is generally needed to restore the ability to walk normally.

A fracture of the upper surface of the shin bone, where it forms the lower half of the knee joint. These involve the weight-bearing surface directly, so precise reconstruction is important. Recovery usually involves a period of protected weight bearing.

A common fracture, often from road accidents. Because there is little soft tissue covering the shin, the bone can break through the skin – an open fracture, which requires urgent surgery to clean the wound and stabilise the bone in order to reduce infection risk.

The ankle is a tightly fitting joint, and even small amounts of malalignment change how load passes through it. Stable fractures may be treated in a cast; unstable ones are usually fixed with plates and screws to restore the joint precisely.

The talus connects the leg to the foot and carries the body’s entire weight through a small surface. Its blood supply is fragile, so these fractures need careful handling and close follow-up.

Usually caused by a fall from height, landing on the heels – an injury we see regularly in construction and industrial work. Because the heel bone carries body weight and shapes the arch of the foot, restoring its height and width matters for long-term walking comfort.

The foot contains 26 bones. Fractures range from a straightforward toe fracture managed in stiff-soled footwear to midfoot injuries that need surgical fixation to preserve the arch and prevent long-term pain.