Fracture Management

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Bone Fracture Treatment & Specialist Care In Singapore

Fracture management is a critical aspect of orthopaedic care aimed at restoring mobility, function, and quality of life for patients with bone injuries. At Alps Orthopaedic, we provide bone fracture treatment in Singapore, from minor injuries to complex trauma. Our fracture specialist Dr Jerry Chen offers individualised care tailored to your injury, age, and lifestyle.

What Is a Fracture? How Do I Know If I Need to See a Fracture Specialist?

A fracture refers to a condition where a bone breaks, often resulting from traumatic incidents such as falls, accidents, sports injuries, or underlying bone conditions like osteoporosis.

This breakage can vary from minor cracks to severe breaks that may require surgical intervention. Fractures can affect many areas of the body, such as the hip, ankle, foot, wrist and shoulder.

It is recommended to consult an fracture specialist if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Severe pain: Persistent, intense, and sudden pain at the injury site may indicate a significant fracture that requires medical attention.
Swelling and bruising: Swelling and redness accompanied by bruising around the affected area can be indicative of a fracture and the need for specialist evaluation.
Deformity or misalignment: Visible deformity, such as a limb appearing crooked or misaligned, suggests a possible fracture and requires immediate medical assessment.
Dysfunction in the injured area: If you cannot put weight on the injured limb or experience difficulty using it, it may be due to a fracture that needs orthopaedic evaluation and management.

Immediate medical attention is essential in cases of bone protrusions or loss of sensation, as these may indicate severe fractures or other complications that require urgent treatment.

If you suspect severe fractures, it is crucial to swiftly seek help from a bone fracture specialist in Singapore or call 995 to contact a nearby hospital’s Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department.

Old people in Singapore are more likely to get osteoporosis, which significantly increases their risk of fractures. This is because of lower bone density, which causes bones to be more fragile and prone to fractures.

How Can Bone Fractures be Diagnosed?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, bone fractures are typically diagnosed through a variety of physical examinations and imaging tests. Our experienced fracture specialist often starts with X-rays to visualise the fracture, but some fractures, especially hairline fractures or those involving small bones, may not be immediately visible on X-rays. In such cases, additional imaging techniques like CT scans or MRI scans are employed to get a clearer picture of the injury.

X-rays detect hip fractures by capturing images of the bones in the hip area.

Different Types of Bone Fractures

Bone fractures can occur in various parts of the body.

ANKLE FRACTURES

Ankle fractures happen when patients break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint—typically the tibia, fibula, or talus. These injuries are common in sports and high-impact activities. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, severe pain, and inability to bear weight.

SHOULDER FRACTURES

Shoulder fractures affect the humerus (upper arm bone) or the glenoid (shoulder socket). They are often caused by falls or direct trauma. Patients may experience pain, limited shoulder movement, and swelling.

CLAVICLE FRACTURES

Clavicle (collarbone) fractures are common in children and young adults due to falls or contact sports. Symptoms include visible deformity, shoulder sagging, and difficulty lifting the arm.

HIP FRACTURES

Hip fractures occur mostly in older adults, often due to osteoporosis or a fall. The break typically happens at the upper part of the femur (thighbone).

Bone Fracture Treatment Options In Singapore

Fractures can vary in severity, and the treatment approach, including surgery, is determined by factors such as the type and location of the fracture, as well as the patient’s overall health and activity level.

For stable fractures where the bones remain aligned: mild injuries can be treated using immobilisation with a cast, splint, or brace, allowing the bones to heal properly. Immobilisation helps prevent further movement of the injured limb and promotes optimal alignment during the healing process.

For severe fractures or those that cannot be adequately stabilised with immobilisation alone: when noninvasive bone fracture treatments fail, surgical intervention is usually the next line of treatment. Surgical fixation techniques include the use of screws, plates, wires, or rods to hold the bone fragments together and provide stability. This approach is often necessary for complex fractures or fractures involving joints.

Bone Fracture Treatment Surgery Procedure

Before The Surgery

Preparation: When patients attend their appointment at Alps Orthopaedic Centre, they will undergo a detailed evaluation, such as a medical history review, physical examination, and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to help our orthopaedic surgeon assess the nature of the fracture.

During The Surgery

Fracture Reduction: During the procedure, our surgeon will carefully realign the fractured bone fragments into their proper position. This may involve manipulating the bone fragments with specialised instruments.
Fixation: Once the bone is realigned, the surgeon may use various fixation techniques to hold the bone fragments together while they heal. Common fixation methods include:
- Internal Fixation: This involves the utilisation of screws, plates, rods, or wires to stabilise the fracture internally.
- External Fixation: In some cases, external devices such as pins, wires, or frames may be attached to the bone externally to stabilise the fracture.
- Intramedullary Nailing: In this procedure, a metal rod is inserted into the bone’s hollow centre to provide stability and support

After The Surgery

Postoperative Care: Following bone fracture treatment surgery, the patient will be monitored closely in the recovery room and will receive pain medication, antibiotics, and instructions for postoperative care and rehabilitation.

Bone Fracture Treatment Surgery Postoperative Care

Timeline: After surgical treatment, most fractures take weeks to heal, but this varies tremendously depending on the site of the fracture. Hand and wrist fractures may heal within weeks, whereas a leg fracture may take up to months before full recovery.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is frequently recommended to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Exercises may focus on the injured area as well as surrounding muscles to prevent stiffness and weakness.
Lifestyle Modifications: Depending on the type of fracture and the extent of surgery, some individuals may need to make lifestyle modifications, like avoiding certain activities or wearing supportive devices, to prevent future injuries. Consuming a diet rich in protein, vitamins C, D, and K supports fracture healing.

There are many ways a person can suffer a serious fracture. Fortunately, with early access to specialised orthopaedic care, regular follow-up appointments, and guidance from an experienced bone fracture specialist, many patients recover well and return to their normal routines.

Seek Bone Fracture Treatment In Singapore

To determine a suitable treatment option for your bone fracture, schedule an appointment with our experienced fracture specialist, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan today.

As an experienced bone fracture specialist in Singapore, Dr Jerry Chen has managed a wide range of injuries using both conservative and surgical techniques. Whether it’s a broken wrist, a fractured ankle, or a more complex long bone injury, Dr Chen carefully tailors each treatment plan to suit the patient’s age, activity level, and recovery goals.

His patient-first approach is focused on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and preventing long-term complications, helping patients heal safely, effectively, and with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to heal a bone fracture fast?

To speed up bone healing, follow your bone fracture specialist’s instructions closely. Eat a nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, avoid smoking and alcohol, and keep weight off the injured area. Engage in prescribed physiotherapy when appropriate to restore function safely.

What is the first aid rule for a fracture?

The basic first aid rule for a fracture is to immobilise the injured area, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and avoid moving the person unnecessarily. Seek medical help immediately. Do not try to straighten the bone or push it back in if it’s visible through the skin.

How to treat a simple fracture?

Doctors usually treat a simple (closed) fracture with immobilisation using a cast or splint. Pain relief, rest, and periodic follow-up with imaging help ensure the bone heals correctly. Surgery may not be necessary unless the bones are misaligned.

What slows down bone healing?

Smoking, poor nutrition, certain medications (like corticosteroids), and underlying medical conditions (e.g., diabetes or osteoporosis) can slow bone healing. Non-compliance with rehabilitation or re-injury can also delay recovery.

What drink is good for bone repair?

Milk and fortified plant-based alternatives are good sources of calcium and vitamin D. Bone broth, green smoothies with leafy vegetables, and protein-rich shakes can also support bone healing. Staying hydrated is important for overall recovery.

Is walking good for broken bones?

Walking can be beneficial in the later stages of healing for certain types of fractures—especially lower limb ones—if your doctor or physiotherapist recommends it. It helps stimulate circulation and prevent stiffness, but you must avoid bearing weight too early, which can worsen the injury.

References

Cleveland Clinic. Bone Fractures. Cleveland Clinic. Published 2017. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures
‌John Hopkins Medicine. Fractures. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Published 2020. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fractures

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Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 15 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
As a driven and valued member, Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH.
Over the course of his career at SGH, Dr Chen has successfully employed ERAS and reduced the average hospitalisation stay for hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Going through these ERAS day surgeries has benefited more than 2,000 patients thus far, enabling them to suffer from less pain and recover faster.
The Alps team is committed to providing specialised orthopaedic care tailored to your unique condition. We offer comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.