The Full Form of ORIF is‍ Open reduction and internal fixation.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal. Open reduction means the bones are put back in place during a surgery. Internal fixation means that special hardware is used to hold the bone pieces together. This helps the bone heal correctly. The procedure is done by an orthopedic surgeon. This is a doctor with special training in treating bone, joint, and muscle problems.

The tibia and fibula are the 2 bones of your lower leg. The tibia is your shinbone. It’s the larger bone. The fibula is the smaller bone that sits next to the tibia. The top of the tibia forms part of the knee joint. The bottom of both the tibia and the fibula form the upper part of the ankle joint.

An injury may break (fracture) your tibia or your fibula into 2 or more pieces. This might happen near your knee, in the middle of your shin, or near your ankle. A fracture near your ankle may be called a broken ankle. You may have a fracture in 1 or both of the bones. A bone may break but the pieces are still lined up correctly. Or the pieces may not line up correctly. This is called a displaced fracture.

A broken tibia or fibula can happen from a car or bicycle accident, contact sports, a fall, or activities with movements that you do over and over again. Older adults with low bone density (osteoporosis) are more at risk for breaks in these bones.

During an open reduction, the bone pieces are put back in their proper alignment. The bones are then connected back in place with hardware. This is called internal fixation. The hardware may include screws, plates, rods, wires, or nails. This helps the bone heal correctly.

Most people do not need ORIF for tibia/fibula fractures. They may have bones put back in place without surgery. They may have pain medicine, a cast, splint, or a special brace, and physical therapy. You are likely to need ORIF if:

• You have a displaced fracture.

• Part of your tibia or fibula broke through the skin.

• Your tibia or fibula broke into several pieces.

• Your fracture involves your knee or ankle joint.

• You had other treatment, but your fracture did not heal well.