Fracture Care by Body Area
Start with the bone that is broken. Each guide explains how the fracture is diagnosed, when it is treated without surgery, and when surgery is considered.
Broken ankle
Fibula and ankle-joint fractures, from a boot or cast to surgical fixation when the joint is unstable.
Hip and femur fractures
Broken hip and thighbone fractures, usually treated with surgery so patients can get up and moving.
Tibia fractures
Tibial shaft fractures and tibial plateau fractures that involve the knee joint.
Humerus fractures
Broken shoulder (proximal humerus) and mid-arm (humeral shaft) fractures.
Children's fractures
Growth plate and other childhood fractures, explained for parents.
Other Fractures and Related Care
Not sure where your injury fits? Call and describe it. The office will tell you whether a visit with Dr. Hendel is the right next step.
Collarbone fractures are evaluated for sling treatment or fixation, based on how the bone is positioned.
Shoulder care →KneeKneecap (Patella) FracturesKneecap fractures that affect the ability to straighten the leg are evaluated for repair.
Knee care →AthletesSports FracturesFractures in athletes, with a return-to-sport plan based on healing rather than a fixed date.
Sports medicine →Seen Somewhere Else First? Here Is the Next Step
Call the Office
Call (484) 526-1735, say it is a new fracture, and ask for Dr. Hendel. Same-day appointments are available for new fractures.
Bring What You Were Given
Discharge papers, the splint, sling or boot you were placed in, and the name of the facility that took your X-rays.
Imaging Reviewed With You
Your X-rays are reviewed with you, and new X-rays or a CT scan are ordered when they will change the plan.
A Written Plan
Cast, splint, brace or surgery, with follow-up visits and the next milestones written down before you leave.
What to Expect at Your Evaluation
Your first visit is focused on understanding the injury and outlining clear options.
How the injury happened, where it hurts, and a check of the skin, circulation and nerves around the fracture.
X-rays are reviewed on screen with you. CT is used when the fracture enters a joint or surgery is being planned.
Whether the fracture can heal in a cast or brace or needs surgery, explained in plain language.
When to Call for a Same-Day Fracture Visit
- An injury you can't put weight on
- A deformed or very swollen arm, leg or ankle
- A child who won't use an arm or leg after a fall
- Pain that is getting worse instead of better
From Conservative Care to Surgical Options
Treatment depends on the fracture, your age and activity, and your overall health.
Nonoperative Treatment
- Casts and splints
- Walking boots and functional braces
- Slings for shoulder and arm fractures
- Follow-up X-rays to confirm healing
This page is educational and does not replace an individual evaluation. Healing time depends on the bone, the type of fracture, your age and your health, and is reviewed at your visit.
Read More Before Your Visit
In-depth guides written to help you understand your diagnosis and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many fractures heal without surgery in a cast, splint, boot, brace or sling. Surgery is considered when the bone is out of position, the joint surface is involved, the fracture is unstable, or the injury would heal poorly without it. The reasons are explained at your visit.
Call (484) 526-1735 during office hours and say it is a new fracture. Same-day appointments are available for new fractures. Please ask for Dr. Hendel by name, because the same number schedules several St. Luke's orthopedic physicians. You can also schedule online through St. Luke's.
Yes. Dr. Hendel treats children's fractures, including growth plate fractures. Many heal well in a cast or splint, and parents receive a clear plan for activity and sports.
It depends on the bone, the type of fracture, your age and your health. Your expected timeline and the milestones for weight-bearing, work, driving and sports are reviewed at your visits, based on how the fracture is healing on X-ray.
Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Many plans allow direct access to orthopedic specialists, while others require a referral from your primary care physician. Office staff can verify your plan's requirements when you call to schedule.
Questions About a Broken Bone?
Visits are at 153 Brodhead Road, Rear Entrance, Bethlehem, PA 18017, for patients from Bethlehem, Allentown, and across the Lehigh Valley. New fracture? Same-day appointments. Call (484) 526-1735.
Call (484) 526-1735Schedule Online at St. Luke’s