Internal Fixation Surgery: What to Expect the Day of Surgery and First 48 Hours

Your Personal Guide to Internal Fixation Surgery Day

Internal fixation of fractures sounds very technical, but for you it mainly means one clear thing: a stable way to fix a broken bone from the inside so it can heal in the best position. On the day of surgery, worries usually centre on the anaesthetic, the cut on the skin, the metalwork, and how you will feel afterwards. Knowing what actually happens can make the whole experience far less stressful.

At Sussex Limb Reconstruction in Brighton and across Sussex, we focus on complex limb reconstruction every day. Internal fixation is a big part of that. We want you to understand what will happen from the moment you arrive, through your time in theatre, to the first 48 hours in private care with us, so you feel informed, safe and looked after.

Our limb reconstruction expertise covers complex fracture reconstruction, limb lengthening and deformity correction. This same experience is used to plan and carry out your internal fixation surgery so that your fracture treatment supports the long-term health and function of your limb.

Before Theatre: Admission, Assessment and Anaesthetic Plan

For many people, the story starts with a fresh fracture. You may have injured yourself during sport, a fall, or an accident. Instead of sitting in a long queue, you can access same-day consultation for new fractures with both Mr Alastair Robertson and Mr Enis Guryel. This quick, private route in Brighton and Sussex means we can plan internal fixation of fractures without long delays.

In private care there are effectively no waiting lists for fracture assessment. You see a limb reconstruction specialist team directly, without lengthy emergency department waits or multiple referral steps.

When you arrive, you are welcomed to a quiet, calm private setting. Before anything else, we:

• Take a careful medical history  

• Examine the injured limb and check the skin and soft tissue  

• Review any X-rays or CT scans you already have  

• Arrange new imaging if we need more detail  

Because our work is centred on limb reconstruction, we are always thinking beyond today. When planning your internal fixation, we also consider:

• Any pre-existing deformity  

• Leg length differences  

• Previous injuries or surgery  

• Whether future limb lengthening or deformity correction might be helpful  

You then meet the anaesthetist. Together, we agree an anaesthetic plan that suits you and the planned procedure. Options usually include:

• General anaesthetic, so you are fully asleep  

• Regional nerve blocks, to numb part of the limb and help with pain control  

• A mix of both, for comfort during and after the operation  

Private care here in Sussex and Brighton allows time for unhurried questions. You can go over worries about sickness, pain, or previous anaesthetic experiences. You are not rushed, and you have immediate access to specialists. We want you to go to theatre feeling as relaxed as possible.

If you have sustained a new fracture and need urgent assessment, you can contact Sussex Limb Reconstruction for a same-day private consultation with Mr Alastair Robertson and Mr Enis Guryel. Our team will guide you through booking an emergency or urgent appointment by phone or online so that you can be seen without delay.

In Theatre: From Incision to Internal Fixation Hardware

Once you are asleep, the team positions you carefully on the operating table. The limb is cleaned and covered so only the surgical area is seen. Before making any incision, Mr Robertson and Mr Guryel review the plan again, including where to place the cut on the skin.

The line of the incision is not only about getting to the fracture. Because we specialise in limb reconstruction, we also think about:

• Protecting blood supply and soft tissue  

• Future options for deformity correction  

• Possible limb lengthening in complex cases  

• Avoiding scar positions that would limit later surgery if ever needed  

Internal fixation of fractures involves placing metalwork inside the limb to hold the bone in a good position. Depending on the injury, we may use:

• Plates and screws along the bone  

• Intramedullary nails inside the marrow canal  

• Special reconstruction devices for multi-piece or joint fractures  

The aim is always the same: restore length, alignment and rotation of the limb, while respecting nearby joints. This is key for walking, running and everyday function around Brighton, Sussex and beyond.

During the operation, we use live X-ray images, often called image intensifier, or fluoroscopy. These real-time pictures help us to:

• Confirm the fracture pieces are lined up correctly  

• Check plate or nail positions and screw lengths  

• Assess joint surfaces and limb length  

• Reduce the chance of malunion or new deformity  

That combination of reconstruction thinking and real-time X-ray checks is especially important for complex injuries around joints or in people who already have some deformity. Our limb reconstruction expertise helps optimise your fracture fixation so that later deformity correction or limb lengthening, if ever needed, remains straightforward.

After Surgery: Recovery to the First Night in Private Care

When the operation is finished, you move to the recovery room. You wake gradually, usually with oxygen, a blood pressure cuff and simple monitors in place. A nurse stays close, checking your comfort, pain levels and limb.

Early on we focus on:

• Keeping pain controlled, using the agreed plan  

• Watching for sickness or dizziness  

• Checking sensation and movement in the limb  

• Making sure the dressing is clean and secure  

Someone from the team will explain, in simple terms, how the operation went. Many people do not remember all the details later, so we repeat the key points again on the ward.

You are then taken to your own private room. This part often feels very different from a busy shared ward. You can rest in a quiet space, have family visit more easily and know that specialist nursing staff are close by. Mr Robertson and Mr Guryel are also available for review if there are any concerns.

Because you are in a private Brighton or Sussex hospital setting, any new concerns can be reviewed promptly by the limb reconstruction team, without waiting for on-call teams or clinic lists. This comprehensive private care is designed to support you through the crucial early phase of recovery.

Early movement is important, but also needs to be safe. With guidance from the limb reconstruction team and physiotherapists, you usually start:

• Sitting up in bed and in a chair  

• Moving toes and joints that are free  

• Using walking aids if weight-bearing is allowed  

Our reconstruction focus helps us balance protection of the new fixation with the need to avoid stiffness and muscle loss. This is especially important if future deformity correction or limb lengthening is ever considered as part of your overall limb reconstruction plan.

The Next 24, 48 Hours: Pain, Scans and Planning Your Recovery

Over the first two days, it is normal to have pain and swelling around the operated area. The aim is not to have zero sensation, but to keep things manageable so you can sleep, eat and work with physiotherapy. As any regional block wears off, we adjust tablets or other pain relief to keep you comfortable.

You can expect:

• The limb to feel heavy and swollen  

• The dressing to stay in place and be checked  

• The nurses to regularly ask about your pain score  

• Advice on keeping the limb raised when safe to reduce swelling  

If pain suddenly spikes, or the limb feels very tight or different, we can review you quickly. This is one of the clear advantages of being in a private setting in Sussex with direct access to the specialist limb reconstruction team.

Within the first 24 to 48 hours, we usually arrange post-operative X-rays. These confirm:

• The position of plates, screws or nails  

• The alignment of the bone  

• Joint surfaces and overall limb length  

For those with more complex issues, such as pre-existing deformity or limb length difference, these scans also help shape the longer-term plan. Internal fixation of fractures is often only one chapter in the wider story of limb reconstruction.

We may start to discuss:

• Whether your limb is now in a better position or if further correction might help later  

• The possibility of staged deformity correction if needed  

• Options for limb lengthening if you have a noticeable difference between sides  

• The likely timeframes for bone healing and return to activity  

Even in more active months of the year, when people are keen to get back to sports or outdoor work in Sussex and Brighton, we stress safe progress rather than rushing. Our goal is not just a healed X-ray, but a well-functioning limb that is aligned, comfortable and ready for the future.

How to Access Urgent Specialist Fracture and Reconstruction Care

Internal fixation of fractures is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. The final result depends a lot on the quality of the first assessment and the plan that follows. Early, specialist input can reduce problems later and keep more advanced limb reconstruction options on the table.

At Sussex Limb Reconstruction, all fracture care is framed by our focus on complex limb reconstruction. Whether you need simple plate fixation or staged correction with limb lengthening in mind, you see the same specialist team from the start. For urgent fractures, same-day consultations are available with Mr Alastair Robertson and Mr Enis Guryel, so decisions about surgery are made promptly rather than after long waits.

Compared with standard NHS pathways, this private route offers:

• No lengthy waits in crowded emergency departments  

• No waiting lists for specialist fracture consultations  

• Direct, immediate access to limb reconstruction specialists from the first visit  

• Faster decisions on internal fixation and timing of surgery  

• Comprehensive follow-up that looks at sport, work and long-term function, not just a healed X-ray  

By acting early, you give yourself the best chance of good alignment, solid healing and future options for deformity correction or limb lengthening if these are ever needed. Our limb reconstruction expertise in Brighton and across Sussex supports every step of your fracture journey, from emergency care through to complex reconstruction.

Book an Immediate Consultation

If you have sustained a fracture or are worried about the position or healing of a previous injury, you can book an urgent private consultation with Mr Alastair Robertson and Mr Enis Guryel at Sussex Limb Reconstruction. Same-day appointments for new fractures are often available.

To arrange emergency or urgent fracture care in Brighton or elsewhere in Sussex, contact our team by phone or through our online enquiry form. We will guide you through the process, review any existing scans and, if needed, organise rapid imaging and internal fixation as part of our comprehensive limb reconstruction service.

Restore Strength And Confidence In Your Recovery

If you are considering surgical treatment, we can guide you through whether internal fixation of fractures is right for your specific injury and lifestyle. At Sussex Limb Reconstruction, we take time to explain your options clearly so you can make an informed decision about your care. Our team will work with you to plan both your surgery and rehabilitation, aiming for the best possible function and comfort. To discuss your situation in detail, please contact us to arrange an appointment.