Fracture Specialist Care

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.

Fractured Neck of Femur (Hip Fracture)

Femur Fracture

Tibia Fracture

Achilles Tendon Rupture

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture

Tibial Plateau Fracture

Patella Fracture

Foot and Ankle Fractures

Lisfranc Fractures (Midfoot Injury)

Pathological Fractures

Fracture Specialist Care in Melbourne, Albury & Bright

When to See a Fracture Specialist

Fractured Neck of Femur (Hip Fracture)

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 / Dynamic Hip Screw / Intramedullary Nail)
Hemiarthroplasty
Total hip replacement (selected patients)

When Surgery is Considered:

Almost always required for mobilisation and pain relief

Femur Fracture

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.

Tibia Fracture

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

Achilles Tendon Rupture

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

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture

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)

Tibial Plateau Fracture

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

Patella Fracture

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
Patella plate fixation

When Surgery is Considered:

Displaced fractures
Loss of extensor mechanism

Foot and Ankle Fractures

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

Lisfranc Fractures (Midfoot Injury)

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

Wrist Fractures

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

Elbow Fractures

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 (open reduction internal fixation) with plates/screws
Joint replacement in complex fractures

When Surgery is Considered:

Displacement
Joint incongruity
Instability

Clavicle Fractures

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 and screw fixation in displaced fractures

When Surgery is Considered:

Displacement or shortening
Skin compromise
High-demand patients

Stress Fractures

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)

Infected Fractures

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

Pathological Fractures

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

Fracture Specialist Care in Melbourne, Albury & Bright

Surjit Lidder provides specialist orthopaedic trauma care, including complex fracture management, joint reconstruction, metalwork removal and revision surgery where required.

When to See a Fracture Specialist

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

Tel: (03) 9110 0019

Fax: (03) 9110 0022

After Hours: (03) 9387 1000

Email: reception@lidderorthopaedics.com

HealthLink: drlidder