Orthopedic Trauma & Fracture Care
Fracture Care & Orthopedic Trauma in Glendale, AZ
Falls, cycling and pickleball injuries, car accidents, and sports collisions account for most of the broken bones Dr. James MacKenzie treats in Glendale, Arizona. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with extensive orthopedic trauma experience, including Level 1 trauma call, and he provides orthopedic call coverage at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus. From a broken collarbone or wrist to complex fractures of the shoulder, hip, and knee, his goal is the same: get the bone healing in the right position with the least invasive treatment that will do the job.
Why patients choose Dr. MacKenzie
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS)
- Johns Hopkins residency, sports medicine fellowship
- Former assistant team physician, Miami Dolphins & Miami Heat
- Nonsurgical options first, surgery only when needed
- Se habla español
Fractures Dr. MacKenzie Treats
- Shoulder fractures: collarbone (clavicle), upper arm (proximal humerus), and shoulder blade (scapula) fractures, plus AC joint separations.
- Upper extremity fractures: humeral shaft, elbow, forearm, and wrist fractures.
- Hip and femur fractures, including fractures in older adults that need prompt, reliable fixation or replacement.
- Knee and lower leg fractures: kneecap (patella), tibial plateau, and tibia and fibula fractures.
- Ankle fractures and fractures around existing implants.
Clavicle (Collarbone) Fractures
A broken collarbone is the most common shoulder fracture, usually from a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched hand. Many heal well in a sling. Surgery with a plate and screws is considered when the fracture is significantly displaced or shortened, when the skin is at risk, or when an active patient needs reliable early function.
Proximal Humerus Fractures
Fractures of the ball and upper shaft of the arm bone are common in older adults with thinner bone, usually after a fall. Treatment ranges from a sling for well-aligned fractures, to plates and screws when the pieces need to be realigned, to reverse shoulder replacement for complex fractures that cannot be reliably fixed. Dr. MacKenzie performs all three, so the recommendation fits the fracture rather than the other way around.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Many fractures heal well without surgery when the pieces sit in an acceptable position. Treatment is a sling, splint, or cast for comfort and protection, early gentle motion of the nearby joints, follow-up X-rays to confirm the bone stays aligned, and progressive therapy as healing allows.
When Surgery Helps
Surgery is considered for displaced fractures that would not heal in a functional position, fractures that involve a joint surface, open fractures, fractures with nerve or blood vessel injury, and fractures in active patients who need reliable early function. Dr. MacKenzie uses plates and screws, intramedullary nails, or joint replacement depending on the bone, the fracture pattern, and your goals.
How Long a Fracture Takes to Heal
Bone healing generally takes six to twelve weeks, and motion and strength continue to return over several months. Stiffness is the most common problem after a fracture near a joint, so early, guided motion matters. Timelines vary with the fracture and the patient. Individual results vary.
If You Think You Have a Fracture
Obvious deformity, an open wound, numbness, or a cold or pale hand or foot need emergency care right away. For a painful, swollen shoulder, arm, or knee after a fall without those signs, call the office, let us know it is a new injury, and our team will help you get evaluated promptly, often the same or next day.
Risks
Risks of fracture treatment include infection, irritation from hardware, failure of the bone to heal or healing in a poor position, stiffness, nerve injury, and, after some fractures, loss of blood supply to part of the bone. Dr. MacKenzie reviews the risks that apply to your injury. Individual results vary.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see your question here? Our team is happy to help.
Do I need surgery for a broken collarbone?
Many people do not. Surgery is considered when the fracture is significantly displaced or shortened, the skin is at risk, or you need reliable early function.
How long does a fracture take to heal?
Many heal in six to twelve weeks, with motion and strength continuing to improve over several months.
When is a shoulder replacement used for a fracture?
For certain complex proximal humerus fractures, particularly in older adults, where the pieces cannot be reliably fixed. A reverse replacement relies on the deltoid muscle, so it may work even when the rotator cuff attachments are damaged by the fracture.
Should I go to the emergency room?
Obvious deformity, an open wound, numbness, or a cold or pale hand or foot need emergency care right away. For a painful injury without those signs, calling the office for prompt evaluation is appropriate.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. MacKenzie
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.