Joint Replacement – Dr. Pooja

Intra-articular fracture management focuses on treating fractures that extend into the joint surface. These injuries are serious because they disrupt the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, which is essential for painless and stable movement. If not properly treated, they can lead to stiffness, instability, and early joint arthritis. The main goal of treatment is to restore the joint surface accurately, achieve stable fixation, and allow early rehabilitation for optimal functional recovery.

Key Principles of Management

• Anatomical Joint Surface Restoration: Precise realignment of fracture fragments is essential to maintain smooth joint movement and prevent arthritis.
• Stable Internal Fixation: Use of plates, screws, or specialized implants ensures proper stability during healing.
• Soft Tissue Preservation: Careful surgical technique minimizes damage to surrounding ligaments and cartilage.
• Early Controlled Mobilization: Guided movement helps prevent stiffness and promotes better recovery.
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy improves joint flexibility, muscle strength, and overall function.

Surgical Treatment

Most displaced intra-articular fractures require surgical intervention to reconstruct the joint surface accurately. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is commonly performed to reposition and stabilize the fracture fragments.

In selected cases, minimally invasive or arthroscopic-assisted techniques may be used to reduce tissue damage and enhance precision.

Recovery & Outcomes

Recovery depends on the joint involved and severity of the fracture. Early physiotherapy is essential to regain movement and prevent stiffness.

With accurate treatment and proper rehabilitation, patients can achieve good functional outcomes and return to daily activities successfully.