ORIF Surgery of the Elbow

What is ORIF Surgery of the Elbow?

ORIF Surgery of the elbow, also known as open reduction with internal fixation of the elbow, is a method of surgically repairing a fractured elbow. A two-step process, it first involves repositioning the broken bones to restore their normal alignment. This is called a fracture reduction. Because the fracture is being surgically repositioned, this is considered an open reduction. The second step is called internal fixation. This means the repositioned bones are held in the proper alignment with some type of orthopedic implant. Common surgical implants used to hold broken bones include metal plates, screws, and rods. These implants, many of which are designed to stay in the body without the need to be removed, stabilize the bones while healing takes place to ensure they heal in the right position.