UNDERSTANDING FRACTURE CARE CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT PremierOrtho.com
UNDERSTANDING FRACTURE CARE CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT Table of Contents Introduction...3 Causes...4 Who s at Risk?...5 Diagnosis...6 Pediatric Fracture Care...7 Adult Fractures...8 Treatment Methods...9 Recovery...10 Prevention...10 PremierOrtho.com 2
There are 206 bones in the human body and all of them stand a chance of being fractured, with the average person suffering two broken bones in their lifetime. Fractures typically heal within several weeks to months, depending on the severity of the injury. This guide will provide you with all of the information you need to know about fracture care, including: Fracture causes Who s most at risk for fractures Diagnosis Pediatric fracture care Adult fractures Fracture treatment methods A fracture occurs when the force exerted on a bone is greater than the strength of the bone. The severity of a fracture usually depends on the force that caused the break. If the bone s breaking point has been exceeded only slightly, then the bone may crack rather than break all the way through. If the force is extreme, such as in an automobile crash or a gunshot, the bone may shatter. PremierOrtho.com 3
CAUSES High-impact force Although bones can bend slightly and absorb a small impact, a force that s too great will lead to a fracture. Falls, physical activity such as contact sports, and motor vehicle accidents often involve high-impact forces that can lead to fractures. If the bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone, the fracture is called an open fracture. This type of fracture is particularly serious because once the skin is broken, infection in both the wound and the bone can occur. Overuse If you perform the same task again and again, over time the repetitive motion will begin to wear on your body. As your muscles tire from the repetitive motion, they may begin to rely more on your bones for support. This causes extreme stress on your bones and can result in a fracture. Diseases and conditions There are certain diseases and conditions that cause the bones to break down quickly or weaken, making them more susceptible to fractures. A fracture that s caused by a medical condition is known as a pathological fracture. PremierOrtho.com 4
The following are two of the conditions that affect the bones and make them more susceptible to fractures: Osteoporosis This bone condition causes reduced bone density, making bones thinner and more fragile. Your hips, vertebrae, and wrists are especially prone to fractures if you have osteoporosis. This condition is especially common among women. Metastatic bone disease This occurs when cancer begins in an organ or other body part then spreads to the bone. Breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, and prostate cancer are the ones that most commonly spread to the bone. WHO S AT RISK? While anyone can suffer a bone fracture, children, the elderly, and people with certain diseases are more susceptible to them. PremierOrtho.com 5
DIAGNOSIS Many fractures are very painful and may prevent you from moving the injured area. Other common symptoms include: Swelling and tenderness around the injury Bruising Deformity a limb may look out of place or part of the bone may puncture the skin After you ve suffered an injury, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don t think it s anything serious, you should see a doctor if you experience any sort of pain or hear a popping, cracking, or breaking sound. It could be a fracture that needs to be treated professionally. At the hospital or doctor s office, the physician will discuss what happened and your medical history. The physician then will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. You ll then get an X-ray to determine whether there s a fracture, the type of fracture, and its location. Your physician will diagnose your injury then will decide which treatment method will benefit you most. PremierOrtho.com 6
PEDIATRIC FRACTURE CARE When dealing with an infant or a child who has musculoskeletal abnormalities or an injury that results in a fracture, treating them properly and with quality care is paramount to their long-term well-being. Musculoskeletal abnormalities can keep children from reaching basic milestones, such as walking. It s also easier for children to break bones from play-related injuries, and these could require a long recovery period. Fractures in children can involve growth plates, which may be difficult to detect with plain X-rays. If your child suffers a fracture, get the specialized medical attention they need so they can grow up with strong, healthy bones. PremierOrtho.com 7
ADULT FRACTURES Complex fractures occur when bones are broken into numerous pieces and the surrounding soft tissue and cartilage also are damaged. Athletes, the elderly, and women are most often affected by complex fractures. For example, once a woman reaches her 60s, she s five times more likely than a man to suffer a complex fracture in her wrist. However, both sexes risk fracturing their spine, hip, leg, ankle, or pelvis in a fall. Complex fractures differ from person to person, so one-on-one care and individualized treatment plans are important. For a patient who has suffered a complex fracture to fully recover, the treatment may require surgery and rehabilitation. When dealing with complex fractures, it s crucial to work with physicians who specialize in treating this type of injury to make sure that you receive the best care possible. PremierOrtho.com 8
TREATMENT METHODS Your treatment method will depend on the severity of your fracture. If the bones are not properly aligned, they will require realignment. The technical term is a reduction. After a reduction has been obtained, your orthopaedic surgeon may use a variety of treatment methods: Cast immobilization To treat a bone fracture, the bones will need to be held together in the correct position until they heal. A plaster or fiberglass cast is applied to the fractured bones to keep the ends in place while they heal. Functional cast or brace For less severe fractures, a functional cast or brace is applied that allows the joints to move minimally. Traction This device creates a steady pulling action to maintain bone alignment. This is most often temporary while awaiting surgery. External fixation With this procedure, pins and screws are inserted into the bone near the fracture and connected to a metal bar outside the body that holds the bone in place so it can heal. This device may also be used until surgery is performed when soft tissues are badly damaged. Open reduction and internal fixation This operation repositions bone fragments in their original alignment, and screws or metal plates are attached to hold them together. Rods may also be inserted through the marrow space in the bone. PremierOrtho.com 9
RECOVERY Your fracture will probably take anywhere from several weeks to several months to heal. The recovery time will depend on the severity of the fracture. Your pain typically won t last for a long time after treatment has begun, but it will take a little longer until the bone can handle the stress of normal activity. During your recovery, you will likely lose muscle strength in the injured area. Specific exercises will help you restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility. PREVENTION Proper diet and exercise may help to prevent some fractures. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D will promote bone strength. Weight-bearing exercises also help to keep bones strong. If you believe that you ve suffered from a fracture, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Contact Premier Orthopaedics for high-quality treatment and care provided by an experienced group of physicians. PremierOrtho.com 10