Fracture Repair: Mechanisms and Management

• The incidence of fractures is increasing in the United States, in part due to increases in lifespan, urbanization, and trauma.
• There are many factors that influence fracture healing.
• Nurse practitioners should be familiar with multiple aspects of fracture repair, including the stages of healing, factors that facilitate or impede healing, several potential complications, current and emerging treatments, and the role of the NP.

The incidence of fractures is increasing in the United States, in part due to increases in lifespan, urbanization, and trauma. It is estimated that the US population carries a 40% lifetime fracture risk, with 6 million fractures occurring annually. There are many factors that influence fracture healing. This article addresses multiple aspects of fracture repair, including the stages of healing, factors that facilitate or impede healing, several potential complications, current and emerging treatments, and the role of the nurse practitioner.