Internal fixation is a surgical procedure to stabilize the two sides of a broken bone. The goal of the surgery is to place the bones back into proper alignment so the bone can heal in the correct position.  There are a number of fixation options available to the orthopedic surgeon to best fix the fracture.

Intramedullary Nails

An intramedullary nail is often used if the fracture is through the mid-portion of a long bone such as the tibia, femur or humerus.  The intramedullary nail is placed in through the joint and directed up to the area of the fracture.  Often screws are used to hold the nail in place.

Picture and x-ray of an intermedullary nail in the leg bone

Plates and Screws 

A plate is like an internal support that holds the bone that is fractured together. The fractured bone is re-aligned by the surgeon then a plate is placed along the bone so it crosses the area of the fracture.  Screws are inserted through holes in the plate and into the bone to hold the plate in place.