Fractures, or broken bones, are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, ranging from small hairline cracks to complex breaks involving multiple bones and joints. They can result from falls, sporting accidents, workplace incidents, or high-energy trauma.
Because bone injuries affect stability, function, and long-term joint health, prompt and accurate care is essential.
Access Ortho Brisbane & Ipswich
At Access Ortho fracture clinics in Brisbane and Ipswich, patients with suspected fractures can access rapid appointments with our medical team, who are skilled in caring for fractures and other orthopaedic injuries. Access Ortho allows patients to avoid long waits in the emergency department.
You can also attend Access Ortho for advice and management if you have a known fracture.
Note: Access Ortho does not treat fractures of the neck, spine or pelvis.
What is a Fracture?
A fracture is a loss of continuity in a bone. Fractures can vary widely in severity:
- Stress fractures: small cracks from repetitive loading
- Simple fractures: a clean break without displacement
- Displaced fractures: bone ends have shifted out of alignment
- Comminuted fractures: bone broken into several pieces
- Open fractures: bone pierces the skin (orthopaedic emergency)
Common Sites of Fracture
- Wrist and forearm
- Ankle and foot
- Hip and femur
- Shoulder and clavicle
Diagnosis & Treatment
How are Fractures Diagnosed?
Diagnosis at Access Ortho typically involves:
- Clinical assessment for pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity
- Palpation and functional testing to determine stability and weight-bearing ability
- Imaging:
- X-rays are the first-line test to confirm fracture location and severity
- CT scans may be used for complex joint involvement
- MRI can reveal stress fractures and associated soft tissue damage
Treatment for Fractures
Treatment depends on the fracture type, its stability, and the patient’s age, overall health and activity level.
- Non-surgical treatment (conservative care):
- Immobilisation in a thermoplastic or fibreglass cast, boot, or brace
- Limited or non-weight-bearing for a prescribed period
- Follow-up imaging to ensure bones remain aligned
- Rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility after immobilisation
- Surgical treatment:
- Internal fixation with plates, screws, or rods for unstable fractures
- External fixation in severe trauma cases
- Joint reconstruction when fractures involve articular surfaces
At Access Ortho, patients benefit from early imaging referrals and tailored treatment plans designed to get them moving safely again. If surgery is required, Access Ortho will help arrange this.
The Access Ortho clinics can fit lightweight, comfortable EXOS casts for many upper limb injuries. Alternatively, a plaster cast may be used, or a referral to a hand therapist for a custom cast may be made. For lower limb injuries, Access Ortho will immobilise in a moon boot or cast.
Complications of Fractures
If fractures are untreated or poorly managed, complications may include:
- Malunion (bone heals in the wrong position)
- Non-union (failure to heal)
- Chronic pain and stiffness
- Post-traumatic arthritis in joints
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- In severe cases, compartment syndrome
It is worth noting that if a fracture is not treated immediately, i.e., for a few days, there is typically no immediate complication other than pain and discomfort unless you have significant swelling, numbness, or pins and needles. If you have concerns, call our clinic for advice on making an appointment.
Who Should I See for a Fracture?
If you suspect a fracture, you should be assessed by medical staff skilled in orthopaedics.
At Access Ortho fracture clinics, patients receive:
- Rapid consultations with our orthopaedic team
- Rapid referral and review of X-rays, CT, or MRI
- Expert care plans including both surgical and non-surgical options
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and recovery
See our dedicated condition pages for details on specific fracture types (ankle, wrist, paediatric fractures, and more).
When Should I Go to the Emergency Department for a Fracture?
Most fractures can be managed safely at a specialist fracture clinic such as Access Ortho, where you’ll receive rapid imaging, diagnosis, and treatment without long waiting times.
However, you should attend a hospital emergency department immediately if you have any of the following:
- Open fracture – the bone has breached the skin
- Severe trauma – such as a car accident or major fall
- Uncontrolled bleeding around the injury site
- Loss of blood supply – your foot, hand, or fingers look pale, cold, or blue
- Nerve symptoms – numbness, tingling, or inability to move the limb
- Multiple injuries – where other body systems may also be affected
For all other suspected fractures, including wrist, ankle, shoulder, and paediatric fractures, Access Ortho fracture clinics in Brisbane and Ipswich provide the right care quickly and guide treatment and recovery.
Emergency Department vs Access Ortho — Where Should I Go?
Not sure whether to head to the hospital or a fracture clinic? Here’s a quick guide:
Go to the Emergency Department if you have:
- An open fracture (bone visible through the skin)
- Severe trauma (car accident, major fall, multiple injuries)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Signs of loss of circulation (limb cold, pale, or blue)
- Severe nerve symptoms (numbness, inability to move fingers/toes)
Go to Access Ortho if you have:
- A suspected fracture from a fall, sport, or everyday activity
- Ongoing pain, swelling, or difficulty using the limb
- A child with a possible fracture or growth plate injury
- Preference for shorter wait times and ongoing follow-up care
At Access Ortho clinics in Brisbane and Ipswich, you’ll see orthopaedic surgeons and nurse practitioners quickly, and you’ll have rapid access to X-rays, CT, and MRI.
Fractures in Children: What Parents Should Know
Children’s bones are different from adults’; they are softer, still growing, and heal much faster. This means fractures in kids can sometimes be missed, especially if swelling and pain seem mild at first.
Key things for parents to remember:
- Growth plate injuries are common and can affect long-term bone development if not treated properly
- Kids may continue to walk or use the limb even with a fracture, so don’t assume it’s “just a sprain”
- Prompt diagnosis is important to prevent bones from healing in the wrong position
- Early treatment usually leads to excellent recovery in children
If your child has ongoing pain or swelling or refuses to use the injured limb, it’s best to get checked. At Access Ortho fracture clinics in Brisbane and Ipswich, our orthopaedic surgeons and nurse practitioners provide assessment and imaging to ensure your child gets the right care quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of a fracture?
Severe pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty moving the affected limb, and sometimes a visible deformity. Open fractures are obvious when bone breaks through the skin.
Do all fractures require surgery?
No. Many stable fractures heal with immobilisation alone. Surgery is recommended if the bone is unstable, displaced, or involves a joint.
How long does a fracture take to heal?
- Small hairline or stress fractures: 4–6 weeks
- Simple fractures: 6–8 weeks
- Complex or surgical fractures: 3–6 months (sometimes longer)
Should I go to the emergency department for a fracture?
Emergency departments are needed for major trauma or open fractures. For most closed fractures, a specialist fracture clinic like Access Ortho is the best choice with faster assessment, no long waits, and coordinated follow-up.
What happens if a fracture isn’t treated?
Untreated fractures may heal poorly, leading to deformity, chronic pain, arthritis, or permanent disability.
Who treats fractures?
Fractures are best managed by orthopaedic surgeons and nurse practitioners trained in orthopaedics at a fracture clinic such as Access Ortho, where imaging, diagnosis, and treatment can be organised quickly.
I didn’t think my child had a fracture and ignored it for a few days; is this a problem?
A slight delay in diagnosis and treatment is usually OK, so don’t panic. However, it is important not to delay care too long, as children’s bones heal quickly, and if a fracture is left untreated, it may start to heal in the wrong position. Growth plate injuries are also common in kids, and if not managed properly, they can affect long-term bone development.
If your child still has pain, swelling, difficulty using the limb, or won’t put weight on it, they should be seen promptly. At Access Ortho fracture clinics in Brisbane and Ipswich, our orthopaedic surgeons and nurse practitioners can provide rapid imaging, diagnosis, and treatment without the long wait in hospital.