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Bone Fractures

This page contains information on bone fractures, such as:

  1. Definition
  2. Symptoms
  3. Causes
  4. Risk Factors
  5. Diagnosis
  6. Treatments
  7. Prevention Measures
  8. Getting physical therapy after your treatment

What is a Bone Fracture?

A break in your bone of any size is called a bone fracture or broken bone, and it occurs when your bone is subjected to more pressure than it can stand. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of bone fractures include:

  1. Visibly deformed or out-of-place joint or limb
  2. Bruising, bleeding, or swelling
  3. Intense pain
  4. Tingling and numbness
  5. Limited mobility
  6. Bone protruding off broken skin

Causes

Here are some of the common causes of bone fractures:

  1. Trauma injuries
  2. Falls
  3. Vehicular accidents
  4. Direct blows
  5. Child abuse
  6. Repetitive forces that cause stress fractures, such as running or playing basketball.

 

Risk factors

Being over 50 years old significantly increases your risk of bone fractures, especially if you’re a woman. 

A family history of osteoporosis can increase your risk of bone fractures.

People who engage in sports such as boxing, running, and riding bikes have a higher chance of developing bone fractures from hits or falls.

Diagnosis

The appointment starts with the doctor taking a record of your complete health history. A physical examination is then done to check for the fracture.

Other tests may also be needed to check for fractures.

X-rays take a picture of your bones, internal tissues, and organs. 

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is a test that uses large magnets, a computer, and radio frequencies to create a detailed image of your body’s internal structures. 

Computed tomography scan or CT scan is an imaging test that makes detailed images of your body by showing the details of your muscles, fat, organs, and bones.

Treatments

First Aid

  1. Check the injured individual’s airway to see if they are breathing. If they are not breathing, begin CPR and call 911.
  2. Keep the person calm and still.
  3. Check the individual for other injuries. 
  4. Step aside and let the medical professionals treat the individual. 
  5. Cover the individual’s wound with a sterile cloth to prevent infection.
  6. Immobilize the individual’s fractured bone with a sling or splint made from strips of wood or a rolled-up newspaper. 
  7. Apply ice on the injury to reduce swelling and elevate the individual’s limb to increase the effect. 
  8. Lay the individual flat and elevate their feet about 12 inches above the head and cover the individual with a blanket to avoid shock. Do not move the individual if the injury is on their neck, back, or head to avoid aggravating their injury.

Medical Treatments

These are treatments you can get from a hospital or clinic that will help your bone recover. 

It’s best to get examined by a doctor to avoid a misdiagnosis and make your injury worse. Treatment’s goal is to put your broken bones back into their right places and give them time to heal and restore function to your injured area. Preventing complications and managing pain is also part of the package. 

Splint or cast immobilizes your injured area to keep your bone’s proper alignment to protect your injury from motion as it heals. 

Medicine helps you manage the pain as you recover.

Traction uses steady pull action to stretch your body in a certain direction to align your bone ends and help them heal. 

Surgery may be required to put your bones back in their proper places. Implants and other devices may be placed outside of your body to promote bone healing.

Prevention

  1. Wear protective gear while biking and participating in contact sports. Elbow pads, knee pads, and a helmet are examples of what you should wear during your activity. 
  2. Put a gate for stairways and keep your windows closed. 
  3. Teach your children proper safety measures.
  4. Prevent falls by not standing on chairs.
  5. Remove cords and rugs from the floor to avoid tripping. 
  6. Put handrails on your stairs. 

Therapy

Bone fractures are painful and debilitating but can be treated to ensure you can get back to your daily routine. The clinic can help you even after your treatment with physical therapy to ensure you regain proper functionality even after your treatment. 

Contact our office to get the best treatment for your injury!