[After-care of fractures, especially following osteosynthesis]

Depending on the choice of fixation and implant, the aftercare of fractures has to occur in different manners. Postoperatively the CPM-machines have taken the place of conventional supports, and there is a distinct tendency to even earlier mobilisation of fracture patients. Except for comminuted, intraarticular fractures, partial weight bearing with 10 to 15 kg (toe-touch) is encouraged as of the first postoperative week. Since the introduction of the locked nail for shaft fractures, we have to get used to look at X-rays with hardly reduced fragments and abundant callus formation. This contrasts to what we are used to from the conventional plate fixations. In case of stable plating, the old rules remain valid: anatomic reconstruction and direct fracture healing without visible callus.