Fracture Repair Health Article

OTHER

Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (Northwestern University), [cited February 28, 2003] <http://www.enh.org/surgery/100077.asp>.

International Society for Fracture Repair, [cited February 28, 2003] <http://www.fractures.com/isfr/>.

National Library of Medicine, [cited February 28, 2003] <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002966.htm>.

University of Maryland College of Medicine, [cited February 28, 2003] <http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/hip.html>.

L. Fleming Fallon, Jr, MD, DrPH

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Fracture repair is usually performed by an orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, or family physician. In cases of an emergency, first aid measures should be used for temporary realignment and immobilization until proper medical help can be obtained. Relatively uncomplicated fractures may be immobilized in a physician's office. More commonly, fractures are treated in a hospital setting.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• What type of fracture do I have?
• Is the surgeon properly trained in the proposed method of fracture repair?
• How many similar procedures has the surgeon performed?
• What is the surgeon's complication rate?