Collarbone fracture can heal better with surgery, says expert

LUCKNOW: Collar bone fracture, that was usually left to heal by itself, could now be fixed with surgery for better results, said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, organizing secretary of the AOTRAUMA-2018, the international conference on joint and ankle fractures.

“When you let the collar bone fracture heal by using a collar strap to support the neck, patient can move his hands but they lose the strength. Later, even when the fracture is healed, the original strength of the hands does not return. If the fracture is fixed by surgery, results are better and speedy,” said Dr Kapoor.

The third day of the conference was dedicated to the fractures that are usually considered difficult or inaccessible.

Several speakers shared the treatment protocol for such injuries.

“Apart from collar bone fractures, the ball and socket joint fracture of the hip and shoulder are the ones where treatment is considered difficult,” said Dr Sandeep Garg, co-convenor of the conference here on Sunday.

Fred Baumgarrtel from Germany, who is author of many books on modern methods of treatment for trauma patients, spoke on difficult fractures.

He also demonstrated the method to deal with the surgical as well as the postoperative treatment for such fractures.

Speakers also addressed issues such as management of badly mutilated foot and ankle in accidents.

The conference aims to train and educate the participants about innovations in trauma management, besides developing new techniques in fracture management.

“The new protocol will help orthopaedic surgeons to provide better results to their patients,” said Dr Kapoor. Over 300 delegates from world over participated in the event.