ORIF Surgery Treatment Cost in India

This kind of surgery is recommended by the doctor when the leg or arm has suffered a fracture with multiple breakages that cannot be helped by using a splint or a cast. The following are the causes requiring an ORIF

•         The bone has suffered an injury-causing many broken pieces
•         The bone is found to be sticking out of skin
•         The bone is no more lined properly
•         An earlier procedure of closed reduction performed without opening the skin and the healing was incomplete.
•         A dislocated joint

Some of the symptoms requiring ORIF surgery are:

•           Visible bone sticking out from the skin
•           Too much pain in the affected region
•           Loss of movement
•           Tenderness, redness and swelling

The doctor would figure out what had caused the injury by talking to the victim in depth. To determine the severity of the injury an X-Ray will be required. The specialist must examine precisely where the bone fractured and how many sections it was dislocated from its original position or how far it was dislocated.

Many injuries may not be evident in an X-Ray, and in such cases, an MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging may be required for a detailed view of the anatomy. Most of these diagnoses are painless, and the patient will not be required to move or do anything but lie for a while.

The doctor will then determine the course of action after a thorough study of the results.

ORIF is usually an emergency surgery caused by some accident. Depending on the severity of the case the time taken to conduct the surgery may last. Usually, general anesthesia is administered during the process where patients do not get to see or feel anything.

In some cases, even nerve block may be given to manage pain after the surgical procedure.

The ORIF surgeon starts by making an incision on the skin to access the affected bone. The bone is next placed in the correct position. Now the plates and rods, sutures or even screws are used to hold the bone in position as it heals gradually.

An x-ray image will be taken after the attachment of the devices. The incision will be closed with stitches and staples and neatly covered with a bandage. To protect the repair during its healing time a cast or splint will be placed in position.

ORIF complications can affect the outcome of the above surgery and recovery. Some of the complications seen are as below:

• Nerve damage that may lead to loss of sensation in the arm or ankle where the surgery has been performed
• The hardware fixed can move out of place from the leg or arm
• Swelling and pain that can cause trouble in the movement
• Bone healing is not completed totally
• Compartment syndrome where pressure increases in the operated region leading to damage in muscles and tissues around
• Pulmonary embolism where blood clot travels to the heart
• Spasms experienced in the muscle

The above complications may arise as a result of the following conditions and at times when surgery is not done properly:

• Age:  with age, poor bone density may not reveal desirable outcomes in ORIF ankle surgery recovery time.
• Medical disorders: patients who have diabetes mellitus can suffer some complications like swelling and ecchymosis.
• Alcohol consumption: too much alcohol can create complications in the surgery. Ethanol present in alcohol can inhibit osteoblast functions.
• Apart from the above even certain psychological traits can have adverse effects on the results of the surgery.

Before the surgery, the patient must clearly understand from the doctor whether you will be relieved in a single day or will be asked to stay in the hospital post your operation. Accordingly arrange some help at home. If the patient is using any specific medicine then he or she should make it a point to inform the doctor as they may be advised to drop it immediately. Smoking and alcohol consumption has to be eliminated.

Recovery in ORIF surgery can extend from 3 to 12 months depending on the severity of the patient’s fracture condition and whether along with fractures were there any blood vessel or nerve damages involved or not.  During the period of recovery, the doctor may suggest physical therapy where a therapist will come and teach the patient some exercises to help in the motion and regain back strength.

Apart from the above, patients must listen to the doctor’s advice for managing the pain at home. If the pain medications do not work so well then the doctor must be informed. Ice may be recommended for swelling management and the affected limb has to be kept above the level of the heart for the first two days with the help of support. The incision should be kept dry and clean and showering technique advice must be followed as prescribed by the doctor.

For the first few days, no pressure or weight should be put on the affected limb. Patients must use the sling, wheelchair or crutches as may be applicable.

The patient must look for the following symptoms during recovery for calling the doctor or healthcare provider immediately:

• Fever over 38.5 degrees C
• Incision area looking irritated and developed sores near the cast
• Fingers or toes growing pale, extra red or too swollen
• Excessive pain which cannot be managed by pain killers prescribed
• Bright red blood oozing out from the cut region
• Fast heartbeat or chest pain
• Breathlessness