Why Delay in Fracture Treatment Can Lead to Long-Term Disability By Dr. Kashyap Solanki – Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon, Mumbai.

A fracture is not just a “crack in the bone” — it’s a serious injury that needs timely attention. Unfortunately, many patients delay treatment due to pain tolerance, lack of awareness, or reliance on unqualified practitioners. What seems like a “minor fracture” today can become a permanent deformity or disability tomorrow if left untreated or treated late.

1. Early Treatment Ensures Proper Alignment

When a fracture occurs, bone fragments must be accurately aligned and stabilized to heal correctly. Delaying treatment allows:

• Muscles to contract and pull the bone out of position

• Swelling and stiffness to set in

• Difficulty in achieving proper alignment even after surgery

Once bones heal in a wrong position (malunion), it may lead to visible deformity and restricted movement.

2. Increased Risk of Non-Union

If a fracture isn’t immobilised early, movement at the fracture site prevents bone ends from uniting. This condition, called non-union, can cause:

• Chronic pain

• Weakness or instability

• The need for complex surgeries like bone grafting or plating

Early splinting or fixation prevents this complication.

3. Joint Stiffness and Muscle Weakness

Prolonged delay in treating fractures often causes surrounding joints to become stiff due to inflammation and disuse. The longer you wait, the harder physiotherapy becomes. Muscles around the fracture also weaken, delaying recovery even after the bone heals.

4. Nerve and Vessel Damage

Displaced bone fragments can press on nearby nerves or blood vessels. Late correction may not reverse these effects — leading to numbness, weakness, or even gangrene in severe cases. Early reduction (alignment) prevents such avoidable complications.

5. In Children and the Elderly – The Impact Is Greater

• In children, untreated fractures can affect growth plates, leading to limb length discrepancy or deformity.

• In elderly patients, poor bone quality and delayed treatment increase the risk of prolonged immobility, bed sores, and pneumonia.

  
  

6. Timely Orthopaedic Care Saves Function

Getting treated by a qualified orthopaedic trauma surgeon ensures:

• Accurate diagnosis (X-rays or scans)

• Proper fixation using casts, plates, or rods

• Guided rehabilitation for full functional recovery

Remember — the sooner you fix it, the better you move.

Dr. Kashyap Solanki’s Advice

Every fracture, big or small, deserves medical attention. Timely intervention can prevent months — or even years — of pain, deformity, and disability. If you or someone you know sustains a fracture, visit a certified Orthopaedic & Trauma Specialist immediately.

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About Dr. Kashyap Prabhu Solanki & Dr. Prabhu Solanki

Orthopaedic Surgeon – Andheri, Mumbai

Dr. Kashyap Solanki specializes in hip and knee replacement, robotic-assisted knee surgery, and joint preservation procedures like HTO, arthroscopy, and ligament reconstruction. He is also known for performing complex revision joint replacements and managing challenging upper and lower limb fractures. With a focus on precision and patient-centered care, Dr. Solanki helps restore mobility and improve quality of life through advanced orthopaedic solutions.

With over four decades of distinguished orthopaedic practice, Dr. Prabhu Solanki stands as one of Mumbai’s most experienced and respected orthopaedic surgeons. Having treated more than 40,000 patients and performed over 10,000 surgeries, his clinical outcomes and dedication have earned him widespread recognition — not just in Mumbai, but across India and abroad.

Dr. Solanki’s reputation for precision, ethical care, and long-term results has brought him patients from all over India, as well as international patients seeking high-quality orthopaedic treatment and surgical expertise in Mumbai.

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