Fractures, or broken bones, are one the most common problems seen and treated by orthopedic doctors. Every year, about 6.8 million people experience a fracture. The most common are hip fractures (mainly among the elderly), ankle fractures, and fractures of the long bones in the lower and upper legs. Bone fracture surgical repair is performed when a broken bone can’t heal properly with casting, splinting, or bracing alone. The most common type of fracture surgery involves internal fixation, where broken pieces of bone are placed back in the right position using surgical screws, pins, rods, or plates.

Fractures in a bone can be treated in various ways, depending on the location and severity of the injury. The most common type of fracture treatment is cast immobilization. That’s because most broken bones mend correctly when a plaster or fiberglass cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal.