Open fractures, usually of the leg or arm bones, are serious medical emergencies. Any time a bone penetrates the skin, the risk of infection increases. Fragments of bone and foreign material such as dirt, sticks or other materials can get in the wound. In the event of an open fracture seek immediate medical treatment to clean the wound and surgically repair the fractured bone. Anytime there is an open fracture surgery is required to debride the wound and repair the fractured bone. Depending on the size of the wound additional surgical procedures may be required for wound coverage which may include delayed closure, skin grafting or muscle flap coverage. The recovery time may be longer than that of other fractures.
Surgery to stabilize the fracture may require internal or external fixation. Internal fixation uses plates and screws or rods to stabilize the fracture. External fixation for open fractures may use an external fixator device. Rods on the outside of the body are attached with screws to the leg or arm bones to keep them aligned while they heal.
In the event of a nonunion after repair of an open fracture, which may occur in as many as 50% of open fractures, internal or external electrical bone growth stimulation may be recommended.