Bone Fractures: Symptoms, Causes, Types, & Treatment

Bone fractures . So, whether you are suffering from a bone fracture or not will depend on the strength used. Keep reading the article to know more about this medical condition, symptoms, causes, and treatment.

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What Is a Bone Fracture?

Fracture is a medical condition when someone breaks a part or the entire bone. It can occur in any body part, and there are several ways to happen. However, some common causes are sports injuries, falls, accidents, and others.

As a result of the breakage, the bone shapes change. This may be across a bone straight or in length. There are even cases when fracture-split a bone into two or several pieces.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture?

The common signs and symptoms of a fracture that one may notice includes -

Swelling
Bruising
Pain
Inability to access your limb
Deformity

What Are the Causes of Fracture?

Bones are strong, but they can also break sometimes, given that a solid outside force is applied. For example, when someone applies repetitive pressure like running, it may fracture a bone. However, the most common causes of fracture are as follows:

Osteoporosis: Having osteoporosis weakens one bone, creating a higher chance of bone fracture.
Trauma: Trauma can be a severe fall, sport, or vehicle accident that may result in fracture.
Overuse: When you put too much pressure on your bones by constant motion like running, jogging, or other activity, it can increase the stress on them as well as your chances of getting a fracture.

What Are the Types of Fractures?

People often get confused about what is an open fracture, transverse fracture, stable fracture and others. The fracture type you are going through will depend on the severity of the force applied. For example, if you are exposed to extreme pressure like getting hit by an automobile, it may completely shatter your bones. On the other hand, falling may only result in a slight twist.

To understand the different types of fracture, here are some mentioned for you:

Open Or Compound Fracture: The broken bone has pierced through the skin leading to a fractured bone. In this case, the patient may experience external bleeding and infection.
Stable Fracture: In this case, even after breakage, the bones are in line and have barely fallen out.
Oblique Fracture: When the breakage is in an angle pattern, it means it’s an oblique fracture.
Transverse Fracture: Here, there’s a horizontal fracture line.
Comminuted Fracture: This is a complicated condition when a patient’s bones shatter into pieces. It usually takes time for this condition to heal.

Diagnostic Tests that Identify Bone Fractures

The most common diagnostic process doctors follow to identify a bone fracture is an X-ray. However, there are times when X-rays are unable to detect the condition. For example, patients have a wrist fracture or a hip fracture. In that case, doctors may carry a CT scan, bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging.

X-rays: It is a way to get a two-dimensional picture of your internal organs.
CT Scan: CT scan helps take out a cross-sectional picture or detailed slices of the bone using computer technology.
Bone Scan: A bone scan may be recommended by doctors if nothing appears on the X-ray. It is a thorough scan, so the process may take more extended hours. For example, you may have to pay two visits, including a four-hour interval in the middle.
MRI: In this, strong magnetic fields are used to get a detailed image of your internals. It is most helpful to find stress fractures.

What Are the Treatment Options for Bone Fracture?

The treatment for fracture is usually a natural process, but the doctor needs to make sure it is in the perfect position to heal itself. In other words, they set the best circumstances for bones to heal and ensure it carries only optimal function. The process involves lining up the broken bones end. However, when it is a minor breakage, the doctor may manipulate the particular area externally.

The following are the treatments for fracture:

1. Cast Immobilisation

Cast immobilisation using fibreglass or plaster is the most common process of treating the condition. Since bones can heal naturally, it is enough to reposition them and apply a cast. As a result, the broken parts stay in position while they heal. Sometimes your nearby joints are limited using a cast or a brace. This is to control the range of your movement to ensure healing.

2. Traction

Doctors carry a steady pulling action to align your bone using traction in this process. It is not a definitive treatment type.

3. Internal Fixation and Open Reduction

This treatment involves doctors first reducing bone fragments and bringing them to a normal alignment. Next, the doctor put together the broken bones using special screws and metal plates. They also insert rods in the bone centre to place the fragments back in some cases.

4. External Fixation

Doctors use screws and metal pins in this operation and place them above and below the fracture site. Also, a metal bar is connected externally. It helps stabilize the frame and keep the bones in a proper position. In addition, an external fixator is also used around the fracture until you can tolerate the surgery.

Are There Any Measures to Prevent Fractures?

There are several ways to prevent fracture. You just need to make some changes in your lifestyle and eating habits.

To make sure one has healthy bones, they need an adequate quantum of calcium in their body. So, have a lot of fresh green leafy vegetables, cheese, milk and yoghurt in your diet. In addition, you may also require an appropriate amount of vitamin D to use this calcium. Some of the good sources of vitamin D are sunlight, oily fish and eggs.

Apart from this, engage yourself in weight-bearing workouts like bone density and muscle mass training. This helps reduce the chances of getting a bone fracture.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How many days does it take for a fracture to heal?

Generally speaking, it takes only a few weeks for a fracture to heal. However, the care process may extend to a month or so. But if it’s a leg fracture, it may take you several months.

Are there any complications associated with bone fractures?

It is rare, but there are certain complications that one may experience. These include infection, poor limb alignment, and plaster cast either fitted too tight or too loose.