Pinned broken leg. Coloured X-ray showing a fracture of both the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). The fracture has been surgically immobili- zed by

---

Pinned broken leg. Coloured X-ray showing a fracture of both the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). The fracture has been surgically immobili- zed by inserting a long pin (white, centre). The pin is fixed to the tibia (thicker bone, green) by screws inserted into the bone on either side of the fracture. This is known as internal fixation. Broken bones begin to heal immediately so it is important that the bones are correctly aligned. Most fractures are caused by an injury that exerts more force on the bone than it can withstand. Fractures of the tibia can take up to 6 months to heal as it is a weight bearing bone.

---

Size: 3993px × 5089px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: broken, condition, disorder, fibula, fixation, fracture, fractured, healthcare, injury, internal, leg, medical, medicine, multiple, pin, pinned, tibia, xray