Bone Fracture Treatment In Santa Barbara & Solvang, CA

Orthopedic Institute of Santa Barbara

Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine located in Santa Barbara, CA & Solvang, CA

A bone fracture is more than just a temporary injury; it is a significant event that requires immediate, expert intervention to ensure the bone heals in the correct alignment and maintains long-term functional health. Whether you have suffered a high-impact sports injury or a fracture resulting from a fall, the Orthopedic Institute of Santa Barbara offers comprehensive trauma care for patients across the Central Coast.

Dr. William Gallivan, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with over 30 years of experience, provides specialized fracture management at our Santa Barbara and Solvang offices. Our approach ranges from conservative, non-operative treatments like custom casting and splinting to advanced surgical procedures such as Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF), which uses specialized hardware to stabilize complex or displaced breaks. By combining surgical precision with our "Rapid Recovery" protocols, we aim to minimize downtime and help you return to your active lifestyle as safely as possible.

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone. A bone may be partially fractured or completely fractured. A fracture usually occurs due to a trauma, such as a fall, sports injury or motor vehicle crash.

As we age, our bones may become brittle, which is an increased risk of fracture. Extremely active children also have a higher risk for fractures. Overuse may also lead to fractures, which most often occurs in athletes.

Symptoms for a fracture will vary depending on the location of the fracture and the severity of the fracture. Symptoms of a fracture may include the following:

Swelling, tenderness and/or pain around the injury
Bruising
Deformity
Difficulty bearing weight
Inability to move the injured area

If you notice a visible deformity, it is important to immediately seek medical intervention.

How are fractures treated?

A physical examination will be performed by Dr. Gallivan to evaluate the injured area for tenderness, bruising, swelling and deformities. X-ray images will be taken and reviewed by Dr. Gallivan to determine the type of fracture the patient has.

Depending on the fracture type and severity, there are nonoperative treatment options and operative treatment options.

Nonoperative treatment options include the following:

Fracture reduction
This may include a closed reduction under anesthesia
Immobilization/Bracing

The purpose of these treatment options is to reposition the bone, immobilize the affected area to promote proper healing conditions, and allow the body to heal itself.

Operative treatment options include the following: