Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)

What kind of outcome is typical for ORIF surgery?

A collarbone surgery should alleviate pain and allow you to return to a full range of motion.

What are the risks of not having ORIF surgery?

If your doctor recommends collarbone surgery and you don’t have it, your bones may heal incorrectly, and you risk limiting your movement going forward. 

What are the alternatives to ORIF surgery?

Before deciding on a surgical solution to your clavicle fracture you might want to consider the alternatives. They include allowing the bones to heal on their own, physical therapy, careful use of pain medication such as cortisone shots, and wearing a sling. 

¿Cuáles son los posibles efectos secundarios de la anestesia general?

Algunos de los posibles efectos secundarios incluyen náuseas y vómitos, sequedad de boca, dolor de garganta, dolores musculares, dolor de cabeza, hematomas (por la vía intravenosa), picazón, escalofríos y sensación de frío, dificultad para orinar y somnolencia. En pacientes mayores, es posible que se produzca pérdida de memoria y confusión temporal. 

What are possible side effects and complications of ORIF surgery?

While rare, some of the possible complications of this procedure include infection at the site of the incision; broken screws or plates; damage to an artery, vein, or nerve; bone misalignment; injury to the lung; and complications from anesthesia.

How safe is collarbone surgery?

In general, severe complications from collarbone surgery are rare. You should also know that Hancock Regional Hospital has been rated one of the safest hospitals in America by El grupo Leapfrog, una organización nacional de vigilancia de la atención médica sin fines de lucro; y fue nombrado el hospital más seguro de Indiana en el Índice de hospitales del Lown Institute.

How do I know collarbone surgery is right for me?

You might be a good candidate for collarbone surgery if the fractured collarbone has broken through your skin, is severely displaced, or is in several pieces.

Do I have options for anesthesia for ORIF surgery?

La anestesia general es la más común para este procedimiento.

What issue does ORIF surgery solve?

Often a fractured collarbone will heal on its own within six to eight weeks, but you may need surgery to repair injured blood vessels, a fracture breaks through the skin, or the broken pieces of your collarbone are simply not in a good position to heal.

How is collarbone surgery done?

When you have collarbone surgery, an orthopedic surgeon puts the broken pieces of your collarbone back where they belong, and uses metal devices to keep the pieces in place.

What happens if my symptoms get worse while I wait for collarbone surgery?

Your surgical team will evaluate the situation and help you make a choice that’s right for you and your health. Temporary treatments might be used if your surgery is rescheduled. 

Why might I have to wait to schedule ORIF surgery?

In some cases, it takes time for a patient’s body to be ready for surgery. For example, if you have another medical issue including another surgical procedure or an illness, we might wait to schedule surgery. Your health and safety are our top priorities, so we schedule surgeries when they’re best for our patients.

¿El equipo quirúrgico conocerá mi historial médico?

Su historial médico se compilará y estará disponible para el equipo antes, durante y después de la cirugía. Si es paciente de Hancock Health, podremos acceder a sus registros dentro de nuestro sistema. Si no es así, trabajaremos con sus médicos para obtener la información necesaria. 

¿Cómo debo decidir qué consejo del cirujano seguir?

Debe trabajar con el cirujano con el que se sienta cómodo, ya sea uno de nuestros cirujanos o no. 

Do I have to get a second or third opinion for ORIF surgery?

Siempre puede obtener una segunda o tercera opinión, pero no es obligatoria. 

What should I bring to my first appointment with a surgeon to talk about ORIF surgery?

• Información del seguro  
• Registros médicos, incluido su historial médico, de su médico de atención primaria
• Your most recent labs and imaging (Not sure where to go? Check out Salud Hancock, donde podrá entrar y salir rápidamente y pagar, en promedio, 70% menos de lo que pagaría en un hospital).

Do I need a referral to see a surgeon about ORIF surgery?

Your health insurance provider may require you to get a referral from your primary care provider to see a surgeon about ORIF surgery.

¿Cuánto tiempo tarda en desaparecer el efecto de la anestesia?

It takes about an hour for general anesthesia to wear off, but you may notice the effects for a day or so. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour for local anesthesia to wear off, though the effects can last a few hours.

What do I need to bring to the hospital the day of my ORIF surgery?

Anything you’ll need for an overnight stay, including a change of underwear, a sweatshirt, glasses or contacts, headphones, and your medications. You might not be there overnight, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.

¿Por qué me preguntan mi nombre y fecha de nacimiento cada vez que recibo medicamentos?

Es una medida de seguridad asegurarse de que está recibiendo el medicamento que le recetaron.

¿Por qué hay tanta gente en mi equipo quirúrgico?

Además del cirujano, cuenta con un anestesiólogo, enfermeras (algunas de ellas se especializan en trabajar con pacientes y otras ayudan al cirujano) y personal de apoyo, que lo controlan al entrar y salir, compilar sus registros y más. Todos trabajan juntos, realizando sus trabajos individuales, para que el procedimiento sea lo más exitoso posible. 

Will I need someone to take me home after collarbone surgery?

Por su seguridad y la de otros conductores, necesitará que alguien lo lleve a casa. Si no tiene transporte, lo ayudaremos a organizar uno.

What should I expect right before ORIF surgery?

• Llegará varias horas antes de la cirugía y lo acompañarán a la sala de espera preoperatoria.
• Te quitarás toda la ropa y las joyas y te pondrás una bata de hospital. (Sus objetos de valor se colocarán en un área segura o se los entregarán a un miembro de la familia). 
• Firmará todos los documentos necesarios y una enfermera preoperatoria tomará sus signos vitales, revisará sus medicamentos y responderá cualquier pregunta.
• Conocerá a su anestesiólogo y a los miembros de su equipo quirúrgico. Marcarán la ubicación de su cirugía en su cuerpo. 
• Se le colocará una vía intravenosa en la mano o el brazo para que se puedan administrar medicamentos, incluida la anestesia general. Si usa un tipo diferente de anestesia, recibirá una inyección.
• Cuando llegue el momento de la cirugía, lo trasladarán al quirófano en una camilla.

¿Por qué no puedo comer antes de la cirugía?

Existe el riesgo de aspiración, lo que significa inhalar objetos extraños, como comida o saliva, en los pulmones. Esto puede ocurrir porque el anestésico para la cirugía puede afectar la capacidad del cuerpo para impedir que el contenido del estómago ingrese a los pulmones. 

How should I prepare for collarbone surgery?

You’ll probably be instructed not to eat anything after midnight on the day of your surgery, and you might also be told to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements.

How long will I be in the hospital after collarbone surgery?

While the length of a hospital stay depends on each patient’s individual needs, patients typically leave within one to three days. 

How long will I be under for ORIF surgery?

Lo anestesiarán durante todo el procedimiento y unos minutos después.

How long will the collarbone surgery take?

Collarbone surgery typically takes one to two hours. 

¿Cuándo se informará a mi familia sobre cómo estoy?

Our associates will get information from the surgical team in the operating room during your surgery and keep them updated. Following the procedure, your surgeon will talk with them in person.

What will happen during ORIF surgery?

You’ll breathe oxygen through a mask and our team will track your vital signs as the surgery is performed. After cleaning the affected area, your surgeon will make an incision through the skin and muscle near your clavicle. Your surgeon will bring the pieces of your clavicle back into alignment, and they’ll secure the pieces of the clavicle to each other using screws, metal plates, wires, or pins. After the team has secured the bone, your surgeon will surgically close the skin and muscle around your clavicle.

Will I need to fill any prescriptions or take medication after ORIF surgery?

You may be prescribed pain medication, anticoagulants, or other symptom-reducing medications.

How soon after ORIF surgery can I eat or drink?

You may not be able to eat or drink right away. After that, you may return to solid foods—but easy-to-digest items, including soups, pudding, and yogurt, are recommended.

Will I receive pain medication right after ORIF surgery?

En la mayoría de los casos, los pacientes reciben analgésicos inmediatamente después de la cirugía. 

How soon after collarbone surgery will I be up and moving around?

Within 24 hours of the procedure, you’ll likely be asked to stand up and walk with the help of medical staff. For several weeks following your surgery, your arm will need to be kept immobile often using a sling. 

¿Cuándo podré hablar con mi cirujano después de la cirugía?

Podrá hablar con su cirujano inmediatamente después del procedimiento, mientras esté en la sala de recuperación.

How will I know if collarbone surgery worked?

Your surgeon will discuss your procedure with you. It can take up to three months for people who have collarbone replacement surgery to return to most of their normal activities and as much as a year to fully recover.

What can I expect right after collarbone surgery?

You’ll wake up from surgery in the recovery room and, as you start to regain feeling in your body, you’ll receive pain medication. After leaving the recovery room, you’ll be taken to your hospital room where you will be able to see friends or family who came with you. 

What are payment options like for collarbone surgery at Hancock Health?

Hancock Health se compromete a ayudar a que una atención excelente sea asequible para todos los pacientes. Para obtener más información sobre las opciones de pago, visite la página de preguntas frecuentes sobre facturación y seguros en HancockRegionalHospital.org.

Will Medicare cover collarbone surgery?

Medicare parts A and B will cover the cost of collarbone surgery, but it’s important for your doctor to indicate that the surgery is medically necessary. 

Will insurance cover ORIF surgery?

In most cases, insurance will cover most of the costs associated with collarbone surgery. To obtain an estimate of your possible out-of-pocket expenses, use our Herramienta de estimación de precios.

How much does collarbone surgery cost?

Consulta el Herramienta de transparencia de precios at HancockRegionalHospital.org for an idea of how much collarbone surgery might cost.