Complications after fracture surgery

Fractures may be one of the most common injuries in our lives. The injuries of fractures can be major or minor, and when fractures occur, some injuries may accompany us for a lifetime. This kind of injury is not something we can take for life, because it will not only hurt our limbs, but also greatly reduce our image, so we must be careful in life. And you must be careful when undergoing surgery after a fracture. Pay attention to care. So let’s take a look at some of the complications after fracture surgery!

1. Early complications of fracture

1. Shock: caused by severe injury, fracture causing massive bleeding or damage to important organs;

2. Fat embolism syndrome: occurs in adults due to excessive tension of hematoma in the medullary cavity at the fracture site, which destroys the bone marrow and causes fat droplets to enter the ruptured fossa and enter the blood circulation. Causes fat embolism in the lungs and brain. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: dyspnea, cyanosis, increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure, etc. Symptoms of cerebral embolism include: impaired consciousness, such as irritability, coma, convulsions, etc.

3. Damage to important internal organs:

① Liver and spleen rupture ② Lung injury ③ Bladder and urethra injury ④ Rectal injury, etc.;

4. Damage to important surrounding tissues:

①Injury to important blood vessels ②Injury to peripheral nerves ③Injury to spinal cord;

5. Compartment syndrome: It is more common in the inner forearm and calf, often caused by traumatic fracture or overly tight external bandage, which forces the volume of the osteofascial compartment to decrease and the pressure inside the osteofascial compartment to increase.

2. Late complications of fractures

1. Hypostatic pneumonia: It often occurs in patients with fractures who are bedridden for a long time, especially the elderly, the weak and those with chronic diseases;

2. Bedsores: After a severe fracture, the patient is bedridden for a long time, the protruding bones of the body are compressed, and the local blood circulation is impaired, which can easily lead to bedsores;

3. Lower limb venous thrombosis: It is more common in patients with pelvic fractures or lower limb fractures. Long-term lack of exercise causes the blood to be in a hypercoagulable state.

4. Infection: Open fractures, especially those with heavy contamination or severe soft tissue injury, can lead to suppurative osteomyelitis if the wound is not thoroughly cleaned;

5. Traumatic ossification: It is mostly caused by joint sprain, dislocation or fracture near the joint, which causes the periosteum to be stripped to form subperiosteal hematoma. Improper treatment may lead to extensive ossification in the soft tissue near the joint.

6. Traumatic arthritis: Failure to accurately reduce the fracture, uneven joint surface, and long-term wear and tear can easily cause arthritis;

7. Joint stiffness: It is the most common complication of fractures and joint injuries;

8. Acute bone atrophy: painful osteoporosis near joints caused by injury, also known as reflex sympathetic osteodystrophy;

9. Ischemic osteonecrosis: caused by destruction of blood supply to the fractured segment;

10. Ischemic muscle spasm: One of the more serious complications, it is the result of improper treatment of compartment syndrome.

3. Prevention of fracture complications

First, there must be a comprehensive understanding and assessment of the patient's systemic and local conditions, and targeted treatment of observed problems in a timely manner. If this is done, complications such as aspiration pneumonia, bedsores, deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, soft tissue infection, neurovascular injury, compartment syndrome and fat obstruction may not occur. Even if they do occur, they can be resolved through timely and correct treatment.

Second, if we have a detailed understanding of the injury mechanism that causes the fracture and the type and status of the fracture, then the preoperative evaluation, choice of treatment method, determination of the timing of surgery, surgical approach, fixation method and even the postoperative rehabilitation plan will be precise and less likely to deviate, which will naturally keep complications out.

Third, study and master new technologies seriously, pay attention to systematic technical training and updating of professional knowledge. Never rush to use new technologies in clinical practice with only a superficial understanding of them, because doing so will inevitably lead to trouble.

Fourth, the surgery must be performed carefully and correctly. Each step must comply with the standards. Careful observation must be made after the surgery, and vigilance must be maintained at all times to prevent the possibility of complications from slipping away. Once discovered, it must be dealt with in a timely manner to eliminate it in the bud.