Treatment of compound fractures requires a comprehensive assessement of the extent of the injury and the status of the patient. A variety of tests and involvement of various medical specialists is typically required. The wounds are washed and antiseptics are given.
What to do when someone has a compound fracture?
While you make your way to A&E or wait for an ambulance:
- avoid moving the injured leg as much as possible – keep it straight and put a cushion or clothing underneath to support it
- do not try to realign any bones that are out of place
- cover any open wounds with a sterile dressing, a clean cloth or a clean item of clothing – maintain direct pressure on the wound if it is bleeding
How serious is a compound fracture?
The most common causes of compound fractures are falls, accidents, overuse, and osteoporosis. All fractures are serious injuries, most especially compound ones that can become infected. And if left untreated, fractures can lead to permanent injury of nearby nerves and muscles.
How to treat a complicated fracture?
Things to remember
- A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone.
- A fracture occurs when force exerted against a bone is stronger than the bone can structurally withstand.
- The most common sites for bone fractures are the wrist, ankle and hip.
What is the difference between simple and compound fractures?
This can happen in many different ways, such as:
- Stress fractures. ...
- Pathologic fractures. ...
- Comminuted fractures, in which a bone breaks into several shards.
- Greenstick fractures. ...
- Transverse fractures, which cross the bone perpendicular to the shaft or long portion of the bone.
- Oblique fractures, which run at an angle across the bone.
How long does it take to heal a compound fracture?
Generally speaking, a fracture may need as little as 4-6 weeks for the bone to heal. Compound fractures, however, are much more complicated and may take several more weeks or months to properly heal.
Can a compound fracture heal without surgery?
Compound fractures break the skin and need surgery, while compression fractures can heal without surgery. These injuries will need consistent therapy and treatment for the best results. If non-surgical treatment fails, then these fractures will benefit from surgery.
How simple fractures and compound fractures are treated?
Simple fractures are normally treated with the use of a cast or splint, which keeps the broken bone stabilized in the correct place to allow it to heal naturally. Compound fractures require more intensive treatment. Usually, surgery will be required so that doctors can place the fractured bones back into position.
What is the common treatment for fracture?
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.
Is a compound fracture serious?
Compound fractures are urgent situations because of the high risk of infection, tissue damage, and healing complications. All high-energy fractures, including compound fractures, are at risk for another serious associated condition called compartment syndrome.
Can you walk on a compound fracture?
A compound fracture has either punctured the skin or exposed the bone, which means it's extremely painful. Even without attempting to move the injured body part, you will feel persistent pain with a compound fracture. In addition, you may not be able to move the affected area.
Is a compound fracture worse than a break?
Compound fractures are more serious than simple fractures. They can be more painful, require additional treatments, and take longer to heal. Most compound fractures require surgical intervention during treatment, where the doctors will repair the fracture in the bone.
How are compound fractures diagnosed?
The most common test doctors use to diagnose a fracture is an X-ray. An X-ray is a fast procedure that uses small amounts of radioactive energy to take pictures of your bones and internal structures. For smaller fractures like stress fractures, you may need a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
What's a compound fracture?
An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. Most often, this wound is caused by a fragment of bone breaking through the skin at the moment of the injury.
What types of fractures are most difficult to repair?
Example: A comminuted fracture is the most difficult to repair due to the bone having fractured into numerous pieces. Multiple bone pieces require more effort to hold them together in the ideal position for healing.
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 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 is a compound fracture?
A compound fracture (also known as an “open fracture”) is a bone fracture that is accompanied by breaks in the skin, causing the broken ends of bon...
Why is a compound fracture dangerous?
Compound fractures are urgent situations because of the high risk of infection, tissue damage, and healing complications. All high-energy fractures...
Can a compound fracture be life-threatening?
A compound fracture, in isolation, can be life-threatening only in rare circumstances, for example if a broken bone injures a major blood vessel an...
How are compound fractures treated?
After all emergency care described above is performed, patients with compound fractures are brought to the operating room for more thorough wound c...
What should you do when a person has a compound fracture?
First, call an ambulance to transport the patient safely to the nearest hospital. Keep the patient as immobilized as possible while waiting for car...
How do you prevent a compound fracture?
Although not every accident or sports injury can be avoided, it is always important to take precautions and wear safety equipment during high-energ...