Ever Wondered How Those Metal Plates Actually Fix Bones?


April 12, 2025 | SUBSCRIBE | SHOP | ARCHIVE

Written by Dr. Nick Golinvaux

Good morning. A note to all of you, my incredible readers:

We have some big changes coming in our family. A baby is due to arrive any day. Woohoo!

But that necessarily means that the next few months will be difficult. Our other kids need just as much care, and I won't be able to take any time away from my surgery practice.

So in the best interest of my family, I am taking a paternity leave from the newsletter. As hard as it is to step away, it will be wonderful to have this time to focus on my family above all else.

But fear not! In the meantime, I have queued up my 20 most popular articles to continue to arrive in your inbox each Saturday.

By the nature of progressive newsletter growth, there's a good chance that most of you will never have seen these articles before. I'm hoping this lessens the disruption of this time away and presents a good opportunity to get 'caught up.'

No doubt I will miss the weekly writing, but I know I'll come back on the other side recharged and ready for the next chapter of Rules of Thumb!

Thank you all, as always, for your support. Talk to you on the other side of this leave!

**This newsletter has occasional affiliate links (at no cost to you). These small commissions will always be re-invested into Rules of Thumb to improve the experience for all.**

FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE

The hardware store inside your leg

Have you ever looked at an x-ray after orthopedic surgery and wondered how all those metal pieces actually work to fix a broken bone?

Those plates and screws aren't just randomly placed — they're part of a thoughtful system designed to create specific biological conditions for healing. Even more surprising is that surgeons can choose between working with two entirely different bodily healing processes depending on your specific fracture.

In this two-part series, I'll take you behind the surgical drapes to see exactly how those seemingly random metal parts create the perfect environment for your body to repair itself.

Plates and Screws

Nails and Casts

X-RAY OF THE WEEK

Objects in the rearview mirror...

Are closer than they appear!

This poor patient was standing near his buddy's car. Somehow the two of them lost track of each other...

...and the car backed over his foot.

I'm sure it doesn't shock you that a car driving over your foot does not result in a happy-looking x-ray.

MEME TIME

I have no words

Sometimes the Internet just...wins.

🩸 FINGER ON THE PULSE

WALL-E does 'The Worm'

You thought robots were creepy before? Just wait. Scientists have engineered artificial muscle that promises to make robots...well, wiggly.

IF YOU'RE HURTING, I CAN HELP

Your Guide: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This is my masterclass on carpal tunnel syndrome. In this short book, I share everything you ever wanted to know about numb hands and how to fix them.

It's more education than the average visit to a specialist — for less than the average co-pay.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND

Thank you for reading and engaging with Rules of Thumb! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Nick Golinvaux, MD

Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Surgeon

PS. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to a friend! If you’re the lucky friend, subscribe here.

PPS. Rules of Thumb is a completely free resource to all those who want to learn more about the human body. Support Rules of Thumb here 🙏.

***Please do not use this email to try to obtain medical advice. I cannot legally or ethically provide that. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 and do not attempt to contact me through email.***

Rules of Thumb Archivewww.nickgolinvauxmd.com

DISCLAIMER

Because, you know, lawyer stuff

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to contact or obtain medical services through this site. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this site or materials linked from this site is at the user's own risk. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The content is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

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