The goal of fracture management is to restore the anatomy back to its normal or near to normal as possible. Historically fracture management was the sole domain of the hospital but Riccarton Clinic offers fracture management for their own patients and general practice patients should they elect to be managed here.
Riccarton Clinic is frequently the first port of call for a patient with a suspected fracture. On-site x-ray allows for a rapid diagnosis and treatment for most simple fractures can be provided during that initial presentation. Plaster and fibreglass casts can be applied and orthotics such as moon boots provided, usually at no additional cost provided the injury is covered by ACC. Crutches are available at no charge though a bond is taken to encourage their return.
Ongoing fracture management is provided by our team of GPs, supplemented by the orthopaedic surgeons and muscloskeletal specialists that visit each week. Details of the latter can be found here.
It is the responsibility of the clinical team is to ensure that there is no functional disability to the patient following the treatment of fracture. An often essential part of this is to ensure that a physiotherapist is consulted to restore muscle balance. Physiotherapy is provided at Riccarton Clinic by PhysioSouth @ Riccarton Clinic.
If a patient of another practice elects to have their fracture managed at Riccarton Clinic they can be assured that notes of their management will be sent to their normal GP.
