Treatment FAQ

what are treatment of fracture

by Fredrick Waelchi Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Treatment includes immobilising the bone with a plaster cast, or surgically inserting metal rods or plates to hold the bone pieces together. Some complicated fractures may need surgery and surgical traction.

Procedures

This process can be supported by various treatment options with immobilization a mainstay; inappropriate treatment may result in a variety of complications. Depending on the fracture site, normal healing in adults may take from 3-12 weeks. Normal fracture healing For normal fracture healing to occur a number of requirements must be met:

Therapy

Fracture Treatment The treatment for most fractures is to immobilize the bone and allow it to heal on its own. Immobilizing the bone can be done with a cast (which in many cases is waterproof — a huge bonus for convenience and fun!), a boot, a splint, or soft brace, depending on the severity of the break.

Self-care

Fracture healing also requires good circulation and an adequate flow of nutrient-replenishing blood to the fracture site — both of which are enhanced by exercise. To avoid stress on the broken bone, exercises that focus on joint loading and range of motion can be employed to accelerate healing and assure return of function post fracture.

Nutrition

  • Transverse, where the break is straight across the bone in perpendicular fashion
  • Longitudinal, where the break is along the long axis of the bone, somewhat down the middle
  • Comminuted, where the bone is broken into more than two pieces

See more

What is the healing time for a fracture?

How is a simple fracture treated?

How to speed fracture healing?

What are the four types of fracture?

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What are the three types of treatment for fractures?

The three main treatment options for bone fractures are:Casting.Open reduction, and internal fixation- this involves a surgery to repair the fracture-frequently, metal rods, screws or plates are used to repair the bone, and remain in place, under the skin, after the surgery.More items...•

What is the first treatment of fracture?

First aid of fractures: Cool the affected area by applying and ice pack or ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth. Treat the patient's shock: help them get into a comfortable position, encourage them to rest, and reassure them. Cover them with a blanket or clothing to keep them warm.

Which is used in treatment of fractured bones?

Cast Immobilization A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment, because most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been repositioned and a cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal.

What is the treatment for fracture and dislocation?

Apply a cold pack to the area of fracture or dislocation to decrease swelling and to relieve pain. Flush open wounds associated with compound fractures with clean, fresh water and cover them with a dry dressing. Splint the injured area to keep it from moving.

What are the 7 types of fractures?

The Different Types of Bone FracturesTransverse fracture. A transverse fracture occurs when a bone breaks at a 90-degree angle to the long axis of the bone. ... Oblique fracture. ... Comminuted fracture. ... Greenstick fracture. ... Stress fracture. ... Pathologic fracture.

What are the 4 types of fractures?

Although there are many types of bone fractures, there are four main categories a fracture usually falls under: displaced, non-displaced, open and closed.

What are the 12 types of fractures?

Types of Bone FracturesTransverse Fracture. Transverse fractures are breaks that are in a straight line across the bone. ... Spiral Fracture. ... Greenstick Fracture. ... Stress Fracture. ... Compression Fracture. ... Oblique Fracture. ... Impacted Fracture. ... Segmental Fracture.More items...•

What are the types of fracture?

Closed or open fractures: If the injury doesn't break open the skin, it's called a closed fracture. If the skin does open, it's called an open fracture or compound fracture. Complete fractures: The break goes completely through the bone, separating it in two. Displaced fractures: A gap forms where the bone breaks.

What are the first aid treatment for dislocation?

If you believe you have dislocated a joint:Don't delay medical care. Get medical help immediately.Don't move the joint. Until you receive help, splint the affected joint into its fixed position. ... Put ice on the injured joint.

Why do fractures need to be treated immediately?

Fractures need to be diagnosed and treated right away because they can become larger and worsen. It's not hard for a doctor to tell whether you have a fracture, but this may require an X-ray or, in the case of a wrist, hip, or stress fracture, another test like a CT scan.

What is the most common type of fracture management?

The most common type of fracture management is with immobilization. There are different types of immobilization including splint, braces, casts, slings, and others. Cast immobilization is the most common method where a material (typically plaster or fiberglass) is wrapped around an injured extremity and allowed to harden.

What is a fracture reduction?

A procedure called a fracture reduction, or reducing a fracture, is an intervention to better align the broken bones. A fracture reduction can either be done as a closed reduction (nonsurgical) or an open reduction (surgery).

What is poorly aligned fracture?

Fractures that are poorly aligned. Fractures around the joints that are poorly aligned. Determining when a fracture should have surgery is a complex decision that must take into account many variables including the type, location, and severity of the fractures, as well as the expectations of the patient.

What part of the bone is used for IM rodding?

IM rodding can be utilized for fractures of the lower extremity long bones that are not close to the joints (bone ends).

What is the most common type of internal fixation?

The most common type of internal fixation are metal plates and screws, although there are many devices that can be used to stabilize different types of fractures. (ORIF) is the preferred treatment for a number of different types of fractures: Fractures that tend to displace despite immobilization.

What is the procedure to hold a rod in the hollow medullary canal?

Intramedullary (IM) rodding is a surgical procedure to stabilize a broken bone by inserting a metal rod in the hollow medullary canal of the bone. This part of the bone (where the bone marrow is) can be used to hold the rod and allow for early movement and weight-bearing in some cases

What is traction fracture?

Traction is an older form of fracture management that is used much less commonly today. However, there are certain situations where traction can be a very useful treatment option. 4 

What is the goal of early fracture management?

The objective of early fracture management is to control bleeding, prevent ischemic injury (bone death) and to remove sources of infection such as foreign bodies and dead tissues. The next step in fracture management is the reduction of the fracture and its maintenance. It is important to ensure that the involved part of the body returns to its function after the fracture heals. To achieve this, maintenance of fracture reduction with immobilization technique is done by either non-operative or surgical methods.

What are the different types of fractures?

Types of fractures include: Simple fractures in which the fractured pieces of bone are well aligned and stable. Unstable fractures are those in which fragments of the broken bone are misaligned and displaced. Open (compound) fractures are severe fractures in which the broken bones cut through the skin. This type of fracture is more prone ...

How to tell if a growth plate fracture is a bone fracture?

In children, fractures heal faster. If a growth plate fracture is left untreated it may heal improperly causing the bone to become shorter and abnormally shaped.

Why do bones break?

A bone may get fractured completely or partially and it is caused commonly from trauma due to fall, motor vehicle accident or sports. Thinning of the bone due to osteoporosis in the elderly can cause the bone to break easily. Overuse injury is a common cause of stress fractures in athletes. Types of fractures include:

Why do my feet get fractured?

When the muscles of the foot are overworked or stressed, they are unable to absorb the stress and when this happens the muscles transfer the stress to the bone which results in stress fracture. Stress fractures are caused by a rapid increase in the intensity of exercise.

How long does it take for a fracture to heal?

Fractures may take several weeks to months to heal completely. You should limit your activities even after the removal of cast or brace so that the bone becomes solid enough to bear stress. Rehabilitation program involves exercises and gradual increase in activity levels until the process of healing is complete.

Which type of fracture is most common in the growth plate?

The epiphysis is the rounded end of the long bones below the growth plate and the metaphysis is the wider part at the end of the long bones above the growth plate. Type II – Fracture through the growth plate and metaphysis. This type is the most common type of growth plate fracture.

What are some examples of fractures?

Examples include osteoporosis, infection, or a tumor. As mentioned earlier, this type of fracture is known as a pathological fracture. Stress fractures, which result from repeated stresses and strains, commonly found among professional sports people, are also common causes of fractures.

Why do fractures occur?

A significant percentage of bone fractures occur because of high force impact or stress. However, a fracture may also be the result of some medical conditions which weaken the bones, for example osteoporosis, some cancers, or osteogenesis imperfecta (also known as brittle bone diseases).

What type of fracture is a muscle pull?

Types. There is a range of fracture types, including: Avulsion fracture – a muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it. Comminuted fracture – the bone is shattered into many pieces. Compression (crush) frac ture – generally occurs in the spongy bone in the spine.

Why does the front of the spine collapse?

For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the spine may collapse due to osteoporosis. Fracture dislocation – a joint becomes dislocated, and one of the bones of the joint has a fracture. Greenstick fracture – the bone partly fractures on one side, but does not break completely because the rest of the bone can bend.

What is a spiral fracture?

Spiral fracture – a fracture where at least one part of the bone has been twisted. Stress fracture – more common among athletes. A bone breaks because of repeated stresses and strains. Torus (buckle) fracture – bone deforms but does not crack.

How do you know if you have a fractured bone?

Symptoms of a bone fracture can vary wildly depending on the affected region and severity. The signs and symptoms of a fracture vary according to which bone is affected, the patient’s age and general health, as well as the severity of the injury. However, they often include some of the following: pain. swelling.

What is a crack in a bone called?

A crack (not only a break) in the bone is also known as a fracture. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body. There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture ; for example, a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin is known as a closed fracture .

What are the goals of fracture treatment?

The goals of fracture treatment are: (1) to obtain rapid healing, (2) to restore function, (3) to preserve cosmesis, and (4) to avoid general or local complications, such as infections. Selection of the treatment method focuses on the need to avoid potentially deleterious conditions, such as excessive motion between bone fragments, which may delay or prevent fracture healing. Each fracture pattern and location, summarised in Chapter 8, CD Fig. 8.35, results in a unique combination of characteristics that require specific treatment methods. The treatments can be non-surgical or surgical. Examples of non-surgical treatments are immobilisation with a cast (plaster or resin) or with a plastic brace. Surgical treatments are divided into (a) external fracture fixation, which does not require opening the fracture site, and (b) internal fracture fixation, which requires opening the fracture site.

What are the complications of a panfacial fracture?

Acute complications following panfacial fracture treatment include surgical site infection, abscess formation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, malunion, and nonunion of fracture segments. CSF leaks stem from dural tears, which may be unmasked by reduction of fracture segments. These may be directly visualized and repaired intraoperatively at the time of fracture fixation, or may develop postoperatively. Most can be managed conservatively and will resolve within the immediate postoperative period, but large or persistent leaks may need further neurosurgical intervention (i.e., shunting or reexploration) to achieve resolution.

How long does it take for SIF to heal?

The pain, as a rule, resolves typically in the range from 2 weeks to 2 years, with most SIF patients experiencing complete pain relief within 6–12 months. 7–9,18,26 Recovery is generally prolonged in patients with associated pubic fractures. 8 Most patients do not suffer any prolonged functional loss and most remain independent ambulators. The small minority of patients who do not do as well generally have other confounding medical conditions which limit their mobility and functional status, or suffer other osteoporotic fractures.

What is the treatment for a fractured bone?

After setting, most fractures are immobilized with a cast, splint, or, occasionally, traction to reduce pain and help healing. In most cases, medication is limited to painkillers to reduce pain. In open fractures, antibiotics are administered to prevent infection.

What to do if you have a fractured skull?

If your doctor suspects a skull fracture, they will probably skip plain X-rays altogether and proceed directly to a CT scan, which will diagnose the fracture and any more important related injuries or secondary injuries inside the skull, such as bleeding around the brain.

What tests are needed to determine if a bone fracture is a bone fracture?

Occasionally, even after the fracture diagnosis has been made, you may need other tests (such as a CT scan, MRI, or angiogram, a special X-ray of blood vessels) to determine whether other tissues around the bone have been damaged.

What type of scan is used for wrist fractures?

In these situations, your doctor may perform other tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a bone scan.

How to fix a broken arm?

For broken arm or leg bones, put a splint (made of wood, plastic, metal, or another rigid material padded with gauze) against the area to prevent movement; loosely wrap the splint to the area using gauze. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to stop bleeding before splinting, then elevate the fracture.

How long does it take for a fractured bone to rehabilitate?

It may take another four to six weeks for the bone to regain past strength. Ask your doctor what activity type and intensity is safe for you, based on your fracture and overall health. Exercising in a swimming pool is generally a good way to rehabilitate bones.

How long does it take for a broken leg to heal?

If you have broken a bone, once the cast or splint is removed you should gradually begin using the area again. It may take another four to six weeks for the bone to regain past strength.

What is partial fracture?

Partial fractures: The break doesn’t go all the way through the bone. Stress fractures: The bone gets a crack in it, which is sometimes tough to find with imaging. A healthcare provider may add extra terms to describe partial, complete, open and closed fractures. These terms include:

What is a closed fracture?

The categories include: Closed or open fractures: If the injury doesn’t break open the skin, it’s called a closed fracture. If the skin does open, it’s called an open fracture or compound fracture.

Why do bones break?

What causes broken bones? While bones are very strong, they can break. Most often, breaks happen because the bone runs into a stronger force ( getting thrown forward in a car crash, say). Also, repetitive forces – like from running — can fracture a bone.

What does it mean when you break a bone?

When you break a bone, healthcare providers call it a bone fracture. This break changes the shape of the bone. These breaks may happen straight across a bone or along its length. A fracture can split a bone in two or leave it in several pieces. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

What is a broken bone?

Bone fractures, commonly known as broken bones, happen to millions of people across the country each year. Typically caused by sports injuries, car accidents or falls, these painful injuries take time to heal. Your healthcare provider has several options to treat fractures. Appointments 216.444.2606.

What is the term for a bone that pulls off a bone?

Avulsion: A tendon or ligament pulls part of the bone off. Ligaments connect bones to other bones, while tendons anchor muscles to bones. Comminuted: The bone shatters into several different pieces. Compression: The bone gets crushed or flattened. Impacted: Bones get driven together.

What happens if you fracture a bone?

As with many injuries, a fractured bone can lead to complications. These can include: Blood clots: Blockage of a blood vessel that can break free and move through the body. Cast-wearing complications: Can include pressure ulcers (sores) and joint stiffness.

How to treat a broken bone?

Don't move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury. Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help: 1 Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. 2 Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort. 3 Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don't apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material. 4 Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

How to treat shock in a person?

Don't apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material. Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs. June 26, 2020.

How to stop a bone from sticking out?

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in.

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Causes

Symptoms

Types and Descriptions

Immediate Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Shreenidhi Kulkarni
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment ensures that the broken bones are aligned to the right positions. This may include surgical and non-surgical methods depending on severity of injury, age and a person’s activity level.
Procedures

Closed reduction: Moving the bone into position without making an incision on the skin.

Open reduction: Making an incision on the skin to position the broken bones.

Bone fixation: The broken bones can be held in place with external fixators such as metal pins, plates and screws.

Therapy

Physical therapy:Done after the cast is taken off.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Use ice packs, elevating the injured limb and take painkillers such as ibuprofen.
  • Keep the applied cast dry.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Vitamin D rich foods such as salmon
  • Calcium rich foods such as green leafy vegetables

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Trauma surgeon
Specializes in treating injuries caused by an impact.
Emergency medicine specialist
Specializes in identifying and managing illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Orthopedic surgeon
Specializes in the surgery of bone and joint disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Bone Healing

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Fractures commonly occur from a high impact or trauma to the bone, although some diseases can weaken bones and cause them to break. Very small cracks in the bone called stress fracturescan be caused by overuse. The most common causes include: 1. High-impact sports injuries 2. Traumatic, forceful and unnatura…
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Rehabilitation

  1. Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
  2. Swelling, bruising or bleeding
  3. Intense pain
  4. Numbness and tingling
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