At Lidder Orthopaedics, we provide specialist care for acute fractures, complex trauma, sports-related fractures, and reconstruction surgery. Treatment is tailored to restore alignment, function, and long-term mobility.
Overview:
A serious injury involving fracture of the upper femur near the hip joint, commonly seen in older adults.
Symptoms:
Severe hip or groin pain
Inability to weight-bear
Shortened or rotated leg
Causes:
Falls in elderly patients
Osteoporosis
High-energy trauma in younger patients
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan if occult fracture suspected
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Rarely appropriate except non-ambulatory patients or high-risk cases
Surgical Treatment:
Hip pinning (screws)
Hemiarthroplasty
Total hip replacement (selected patients)
When Surgery is Considered:
Almost always required for mobilisation and pain relief.
Overview:
A fracture of the thigh bone, usually caused by high-energy trauma.
Symptoms:
Severe thigh pain
Swelling and deformity
Inability to stand or walk
Causes:
Motor vehicle accidents
Falls from height
Osteoporotic bone (low-energy fracture in elderly)
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan for complex patterns
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Rare; temporary traction or stabilisation only
Surgical Treatment:
Intramedullary nailing
Plate fixation
External fixation in damage control scenarios
When Surgery is Considered:
Almost always required for alignment and early mobilisation.
Overview:
Fracture of the shin bone, commonly involving high-energy trauma or sports injury.
Symptoms:
Pain and swelling in the lower leg
Deformity or inability to walk
Bruising
Causes:
Sporting injuries
Motor vehicle trauma
Falls
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan for joint involvement
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Cast immobilisation (stable fractures)
Protected weight-bearing
Surgical Treatment:
Intramedullary nail
Plate fixation
External fixation in severe trauma
When Surgery is Considered:
Displacement
Open fractures
Unstable fracture patterns
Overview:
A rupture of the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.
Symptoms:
Sudden “pop” sensation
Difficulty walking
Weak push-off strength
Swelling at back of ankle
Causes:
Sports (jumping, sprinting)
Degenerative tendon changes
Diagnosis:
Clinical exam (Thompson test)
Ultrasound or MRI
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Functional bracing
Physiotherapy-based rehab
Surgical Treatment:
Open or minimally invasive tendon repair
When Surgery is Considered:
Young active patients
Athletes
Re-rupture cases
Overview:
Tear of the tendon connecting the quadriceps muscles to the kneecap.
Symptoms:
Inability to straighten the knee
Swelling above the kneecap
Sudden pain after injury
Causes:
Sudden eccentric load
Falls
Degenerative tendon changes
Diagnosis:
Clinical exam
MRI or ultrasound
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Rare; partial tears only
Surgical Treatment:
Primary tendon repair
Augmentation in complex cases
When Surgery is Considered:
Complete rupture (urgent repair required)
Overview:
Fracture involving the weight-bearing surface of the knee joint.
Symptoms:
Knee pain and swelling
Inability to weight-bear
Joint instability
Causes:
Falls
Road accidents
Sports trauma
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan (essential for planning)
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Bracing
Non-weight-bearing
Physiotherapy
Surgical Treatment:
Plate and screw fixation
Bone grafting in complex cases
When Surgery is Considered:
Joint surface depression or displacement
Instability
Open fractures
Overview:
Fracture of the kneecap affecting knee extension.
Symptoms:
Anterior knee pain
Swelling
Inability to straighten leg
Causes:
Direct fall onto knee
High-energy trauma
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan if complex
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Bracing for stable fractures
Physiotherapy
Surgical Treatment:
Tension band wiring
Screw fixation or partial patellectomy
When Surgery is Considered:
Displaced fractures
Loss of extensor mechanism
Overview:
Includes fractures of the ankle bones, midfoot, and hindfoot.
Symptoms:
Pain and swelling
Difficulty walking
Bruising
Causes:
Twisting injuries
Falls
Sports trauma
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan for complex fractures
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Casting or boot immobilisation
Protected weight-bearing
Surgical Treatment:
ORIF (plates and screws)
Ligament repair in unstable injuries
When Surgery is Considered:
Displacement
Joint instability
High-demand patients
Overview:
Injury to the midfoot joints and ligaments, often missed initially.
Symptoms:
Midfoot pain and swelling
Difficulty weight-bearing
Bruising on sole of foot
Causes:
Twisting injuries
Falls from height
Sports trauma
Diagnosis:
X-rays (weight-bearing)
CT or MRI
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Stable injuries treated in cast
Surgical Treatment:
Screw or plate fixation
When Surgery is Considered:
Any instability or displacement
Overview:
Common fracture of the distal radius, especially after falls.
Symptoms:
Wrist pain and swelling
Deformity
Reduced grip strength
Causes:
Falls on outstretched hand
Osteoporosis
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan if complex
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Cast immobilisation
Surgical Treatment:
Plate fixation
External fixation in severe cases
When Surgery is Considered:
Displacement
Joint involvement
Unstable fractures
Overview:
Includes radial head, olecranon, and distal humerus fractures.
Symptoms:
Elbow pain and swelling
Loss of motion
Deformity
Causes:
Falls
Sports injuries
Trauma
Diagnosis:
X-rays
CT scan
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Sling or splint
Early mobilisation if stable
Surgical Treatment:
ORIF with plates/screws
Joint replacement in complex fractures
When Surgery is Considered:
Displacement
Joint incongruity
Instability
Overview:
Fracture of the collarbone, commonly from falls or sports.
Symptoms:
Shoulder pain
Visible deformity
Difficulty lifting arm
Causes:
Falls onto shoulder
Cycling accidents
Contact sports
Diagnosis:
X-rays
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Sling immobilisation
Physiotherapy
Surgical Treatment:
Plate fixation in displaced fractures
When Surgery is Considered:
Displacement or shortening
Skin compromise
High-demand patients
Overview:
Small cracks in bone due to repetitive overload.
Symptoms:
Gradual onset pain
Pain with activity
Localised tenderness
Causes:
Overuse
Running or sports training
Bone density issues
Diagnosis:
MRI (early detection)
Bone scan
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Rest and activity modification
Gradual return to load
Bone health optimisation
Surgical Treatment:
Rare; fixation in high-risk fractures
When Surgery is Considered:
Non-healing fractures
High-risk sites (e.g. femoral neck)
Overview:
A fracture complicated by bone infection (osteomyelitis).
Symptoms:
Persistent pain
Swelling
Wound discharge
Delayed healing
Causes:
Open fractures
Post-surgical infection
Diagnosis:
Blood tests (CRP, ESR)
Imaging (MRI/CT)
Microbiology cultures
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Antibiotics
Wound care
Surgical Treatment:
Surgical debridement
Stabilisation or revision fixation
When Surgery is Considered:
Presence of pus or necrotic bone
Non-healing infection
Overview:
Fractures can occur in weakened bone due to an underlying disease.
Symptoms:
Sudden pain with minimal trauma
History of cancer or bone disease
Causes:
Metastatic cancer
Osteoporosis
Bone cysts or tumours
Diagnosis:
X-rays
MRI/CT
Bone scan
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Pain management
Treat underlying condition
Surgical Treatment:
Fixation with or without bone cement
Joint replacement in select cases
When Surgery is Considered:
Structural instability
Painful lesions
Prevention of further collapse
Surjit Lidder provides specialist orthopaedic trauma care, including complex fracture management, joint reconstruction, and revision surgery where required.
Please seek urgent assessment if you have:
Suspected fracture after trauma
Inability to weight-bear
Visible deformity
Persistent pain after injury
Open wounds or suspected infection
Previous fracture not healing
