I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that the fear is justified, not every broken bone is “simple” and while most fractures are nonoperative some do require surgical fixation.
Pain reduction isn’t the main reason to operate or the metric of interest, there are many ways to alleviate acute pain including casting.
Functional impairment (immediate and delayed) and reducing the risks of posttraumatic arthritis are far more important.
Joint infections (and pseudomonas in general) are an absolute nightmare as the joint space is not vascular.
Bone infections/osteomyelitis are much rarer and for the most part less catastrophic (although they certainly still can be).
As always patient autonomy is paramount and we all value risks differently. For myself as a young healthy adult (not an orthopaedic surgeon) I would rather accept the minimal risks of surgical reduction and fixation for a fracture needing one than risk needing complex reconstruction or joint replacement in 10-20 years which has much higher complication rates and longer recovery.
Pain reduction isn’t the main reason to operate or the metric of interest, there are many ways to alleviate acute pain including casting.
Functional impairment (immediate and delayed) and reducing the risks of posttraumatic arthritis are far more important.
Joint infections (and pseudomonas in general) are an absolute nightmare as the joint space is not vascular.
Bone infections/osteomyelitis are much rarer and for the most part less catastrophic (although they certainly still can be).
As always patient autonomy is paramount and we all value risks differently. For myself as a young healthy adult (not an orthopaedic surgeon) I would rather accept the minimal risks of surgical reduction and fixation for a fracture needing one than risk needing complex reconstruction or joint replacement in 10-20 years which has much higher complication rates and longer recovery.