Medical Terminology for Status Post Fracture Repair
The medical term for "S/P fracture repair" is "status post fracture repair" or more specifically "status post open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)" when surgical stabilization was performed, or "status post closed reduction" for non-operative management.
Understanding the Terminology
"Status post" (S/P) is the standard medical abbreviation indicating a patient's condition following a specific procedure or event. When documenting fracture treatment, the specific repair method should be clearly stated to convey the exact intervention performed.
Common Fracture Repair Terminology
Surgical Repair Terms
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) refers to surgical exposure of the fracture site with anatomic realignment and stabilization using hardware such as plates, screws, or intramedullary nails 1
Surgical Stabilization describes the broader category of operative fracture management, which may include various fixation techniques depending on fracture location and characteristics 1
Osteosynthesis is the technical term for surgical bone stabilization, often used interchangeably with internal fixation, and should be performed within 24 hours when possible to reduce complications 2, 3
Non-Surgical Repair Terms
Closed Reduction indicates fracture realignment without surgical incision, typically followed by immobilization with casting or splinting 1
Cast Immobilization or External Fixation describes non-operative fracture management methods that maintain alignment during healing 1
Location-Specific Terminology
Prosthetic-Related Fractures
- Periprosthetic Fracture Repair specifically describes fractures occurring around joint replacement hardware, which require specialized treatment approaches based on fracture classification and prosthesis stability 1
Rib Fractures
- Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures (SSRF) is the specific term for operative rib fracture management, typically involving plate fixation of ribs 2-10 1
Documentation Best Practices
Always specify the exact procedure performed rather than using generic terms. For example:
"S/P ORIF left femoral shaft fracture with intramedullary nail" is more precise than simply "S/P fracture repair" 1
"S/P closed reduction and casting of distal radius fracture" clearly indicates non-operative management 1
"S/P SSRF with plate fixation of ribs 4-7" specifies the rib fracture repair technique 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Never use vague terminology like "fracture repair" without specifying whether surgical or non-surgical methods were employed, as this impacts subsequent care planning and complication risk assessment 4
Avoid omitting hardware details in surgical cases, as the type of fixation (plates, nails, screws) influences imaging interpretation and potential complications 1
Document timing of repair when relevant, as early definitive stabilization (within 24 hours) versus delayed repair affects outcomes and complication rates 2, 3