Shoulder Fracture Fixation
Shoulder Fracture Fixation i.e., of the humerus (upper arm bone), shoulder joint components (glenoid or scapula), or clavicle (collarbone) may be recommended if you have sustained a fracture. Many fractures of the shoulder do not require surgical fixation, depending on patient age, fracture age, type of fracture, and degree of displacement, and can instead be managed in a sling.
Benefits of Surgery
Enhanced Healing & Stability
If required, fixing the fracture with plates, screws, or rods provides the stability required for the bone to heal correctly.
Prevent Long-Term Complications
If required, timely and effective fracture fixation can prevent issues like malunion (healing incorrectly), nonunion (failure to heal), chronic pain, and early arthritis that can arise from improperly managed fractures.
Procedure Information
Dr Richmond has sub-specialist expertise in Shoulder Surgery.
Following a thorough assessment, including physical examination, imaging, and consideration of your activity level – surgery may be recommended.
Shoulder fracture fixation is typically performed through small to medium skin incisions.
Fractures such as a fractured clavicle (collarbone), or a fractured humerus (upper arm bone) can cause significant pain, deformity, and loss of arm function.
Conditions Treated
During your consultation, Dr Richmond will carefully evaluate your condition and discuss all management options with you, including non-surgical treatments, so you can confidently decide on the right path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily Request a Consultation by calling our friendly team directly on (07) 4911 6088 during business hours OR use our online Consultation Request Form.
Standard Pathway:
A referral from a Doctor (GP or Specialist) that is addressed to Dr Richmond or any other Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon, is required. Once your referral is received, either direct from the Doctor or submitted by you, it will be triaged within 24 hours. Dr Richmond will review the referral and advise regarding referral suitability, appointment urgency, and the need for any further pre-appointment imaging. The administration team will then contact you to arrange an Initial Consultation.
Rapid Access Pathway:
If you 45 years old or younger and have sustained an acute sports-related knee or shoulder injury in recent days or weeks you may choose to access this option. Call our team or use our online Consultation Request Form to request an Urgent Consultation (in person or via phone/video) with Dr Vicki Richmond (GP). Following an initial assessment, Vicki will arrange any imaging your require, a referral, and a Rapid Access Consultation with Dr Bradley Richmond, as appropriate.
DVA Gold Card and eligible White Card holders are bulk billed for all consultations. If referred by a third party, you may be entitled to receive care from Dr Richmond at no cost e.g., WorkCover, Surgery Connect.
Your Initial Consultation will involve a thorough discussion of your presenting concerns, functional limitations, and previous health history. Dr Richmond will perform a comprehensive physical examination and review any existing imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans). If further investigations are needed, they will be arranged. He will then provide a clear, understandable explanation of your diagnosis and discuss all suitable treatment options, ensuring you are fully informed for shared decision-making. If surgery is recommended (such as knee replacement surgery, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction), you will receive detailed information about the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential risks.
The cost for orthopaedic surgery varies between surgeons, even for the same procedure.
Dr Richmond and his team takes Informed Financial Consent very seriously. If surgery is recommended for your condition, you will be provided with an individualised quote for the Surgical Costs associated with the indicated procedure. You will also be advised how to seek estimates for the additional Surgical Assistant, Anaesthetist, and Hospital costs.
If you have Private Health Insurance and are covered for the required item number, most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
If you are a WorkCover, Surgery Connect, or DVA patient - you will have no out-of-pocket Surgical Costs.
Please see the Fees page for more detailed information.
Yes, as long as your Private Health Insurance covers your for the required item number; most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
Estimated Price
If you require Shoulder Fracture Fixation, you will be provided with an individualised quote which will reflect fracture complexity and surgical urgency. In general, a Known Gap is not offered for these procedures.
Dr Richmond and his team will also advise you how to seek estimates for the additional Surgical Assistant, Anaesthetist and Hospital costs.
Please visit our Fees page to learn more, including information relevant to WorkCover, Surgery Connect, DVA, and Self-Funded patients.
Dr Bradley Richmond
Orthopaedic Surgeon - BHB, MBChB, FRACS (Orth)
Dr Bradley Richmond graduated as a Doctor from the University of Auckland in 2004 and trained as a general Orthopaedic Surgeon in New Zealand, obtaining fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2014. He then spent a further 18 months undertaking subspecialty fellowship training in Sydney, working with some of the most respected Knee and Shoulder surgeons in Australia.
Since December 2015, Dr Richmond has had an appointment as a Staff Specialist at Rockhampton Hospital – providing public Orthopaedic care to Central Queenslanders, and providing training and supervision to Orthopaedic Trainees, Junior Doctors, and International Medical Graduate Specialists.
In April 2024, he commenced part-time private practice, focusing exclusively on his areas of specialist expertise – knee and shoulder surgery.
Operating Locations
Consulting Locations
