Monday, December 13, 2010

The Fracture

Overview of Fracture

Fractures or broken bones are considered one of the most common types of orthopedic problems. According to statistics, approximately 6.8 million patients annually go to hospitals to ask for medical attention because of fracture problems. Studies also say that a normal person will approximately suffer an average of two fractures during his lifetime. Basically, fractures happen when the bone cannot be able to support the force it has achieved. The two important factors that determine the mechanism of injury of fractures are the strength and resistance level of the bone and the force level applied on the bone. If the force level is high like in vehicle accidents, a person can suffer from open fractures wherein the broken bone protrudes on the skin. Low-energy chronic forces, on the other hand, can cause stress or hairline fractures.

Bone Fracture Types

Open fractures: The most severe type of bone fracture. Here, the fracture causes the fragmented bone to pierce the skin, causing wounds or laceration.
Compression fracture: A closed fracture which is characterized by two or more bones crushing into each other. This type of fracture commonly happens on the spine due to accidents like falling and landed on a sitting or standing position. It can also be caused by pathological factors such as osteoporosis.
Simple fracture: The bone is fragmented into two pieces only.
Avulsion fracture: A type of closed fracture which happens when a small piece of bone is fragmented due to a powerful contraction of the muscle. Commonly experienced by athletes who immediately engage into sports without proper stretching.
Impacted fracture: Closely similar to compression fractures except that the fracture happens in one bone only.
Complete fracture: The fragmented part of the bone entirely separates.
Incomplete fracture: The bone fractured but the pieces did not entirely separate from the main bone.

Diagnosis

Bones are diagnosed according to their types. For example, compound or open fractures do not need many tests because they are immediately sent for surgery. Incomplete fractures, on the other hand, may need certain tests to help identify the extent and mechanism of the injury. For incomplete fractures, a physical examination and x-ray scans may be required by the doctor in order to properly assess and identify the type of treatment to be administered.

Causes

• Traumas from accidents and other forceful movements/events
• Falls
• High impact forces from sports activities
• Overuse of bones from too much training
• Tumors growing near the area of the fractured bone

Symptoms

• Deformed shape or the injured joints are of out-of-place
• Bleeding, bruising, or swelling
• Extreme pain (passing or not)
• Tingling and numb sensations
• Inability to move normally the affected body part or there is the need for support

Fracture Treatment

Just like in diagnosis, the type of treatment is also highly dependent on the type of fracture suffered by the patient. For incomplete fractures, the use of casts, slings, or crutches are considered as the simplest treatments. These tools are used in order to align the bones back on their proper places. They also help immobilize the bones so as not to further or worsen the injury with unnecessary movements. Another mode of treatment is the use of external fixation. Here, wires and pins are used to align back the bones. These instruments are placed into the bone through a metal frame that is set above and below the fractured area. The frame is held together by a bar or a ring that helps hold the pins on their proper places.

For compound or open fractures, internal fixation or the use of surgery is normally required in order to prevent the development of an infection. The tools used in surgeries are screws, rods, and wires which are internally implanted and inserted on the bones to reconnect the fragmented parts. After the surgery, the injured area is also placed on a cast-like instrument to immobilize it.

Bone Fracture Prevention

The best prevention for bone fractures is for a person to be careful in doing hazardous activities. For athletes who constantly apply force on their bones due to training, doing a warm-up to condition the bones can help a lot. The trainings should also be done in a gradual manner so as not to put too much shock on the bones. The fractures caused by pathological factors can be prevented by consuming the necessary minerals and nutrients for healthy bones.

When to Call a Doctor

If the fracture causes extreme pain and showed signs of swelling then it is probably time to consult a doctor. Athletes who experience passing pains should also visit their doctors to see if they have stress fractures.

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