[Postoperative course following open reduction and internal fixation of fractures]

The postoperative management after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of fractures is addressed with this article. The topics selected focus on topics that are of relevance for the family practitioner. Because of large differences in the treatment of adult - and geriatric fracture patients these two groups are separately looked at in Part 1 and Part 2 of the article. Fractures in children or fractures of the growing skeleton are not addressed. In the early postoperative phase, the fracture patient might seek for advice in case of complications, such as wound infection or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). After fracture healing, the decision on implant removal has to be made. Geriatric fracture patients mostly cannot return back home directly from the hospital. Instead they are transferred to a rehabilitation center. In these patients secondary fracture prevention should be in the focus of the family practitioner. This means osteoporosis diagnostics and treatment shall be initiated, if not done before. Another important task is to guarantee for compliance with the therapy once it is initiated.