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Sometimes, certain traumas, injuries, accidents, or repeated actions or activities can cause your bones to break, which is commonly called bone fractures. Identifying these fractures early helps in starting treatment early enough to avoid fracture complications.
In this blog, let us look at the various aspects of bone fracture, including the types, causes, treatment, and how one can recover from a bone fracture.
Understanding Bone Fractures & Types
Bones are rigid tissue that forms the skeleton of your body. Along with the joints and muscles, bones help in movement and support the body in performing various activities. Sometimes, repeated pressure on the bones, stress, injuries, and accidents can cause your bones to break completely or partially, causing a bone fracture.
Types of Bone Fractures
Bone fractures are classified based on their cause, pattern, and location.
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Some fractures cause a single straight-line break on the bone (oblique, transverse, or longitudinal fractures). Other fractures don’t cause a straight line break (greenstick, comminuted, segmental, and spiral fractures).
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Some fractures are classified based on their causes.
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Stress or hairline fractures are fractures caused by the overuse of certain bones. Avulsion fractures are those witnessed in young athletes.
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Buckle fractures are a part of pediatric bone fractures; they often affect children. These are incomplete fractures that don’t affect or break a bone completely.
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The third type is named after its location, like – shoulder, elbow, rib, cervical, hip, pelvic fracture, etc.
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Sometimes, a fracture can push the bone through the skin. This is called an open fracture. Closed fractures occur when the bone doesn’t push through the skin.
The other two types of fractures are displaced and non-displaced fractures.
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In displaced fractures, the pieces of broken bone move away from the broken area, creating a gap.
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In non-displaced fractures, the pieces of broken bones do not move far away from the site of the fracture.
Bone Fracture Causes and Risk Factors
The most common cause of bone fracture is trauma. This can include a sports injury, a car accident, or an unexpected fall. Sometimes, certain activities stress your bones and make them prone to fractures. E.g. repetitive activities like practising certain physical activities. Overusing your bones can also cause fractures. If you play a certain instrument, using your hand constantly to play the instrument can strain the bone and cause it to break.
Conditions such as Osteoporosis make the bones porous (leaky or holey), increasing the risk of bone fractures. The fact that osteoporosis increases with age makes ‘growing age’ a major risk factor for bone fractures.
Visit an orthopedic hospital in Bangalore if you want to learn more about bone fractures causes.
Signs and Symptoms of a Bone Fracture
You may experience these common signs and symptoms during a bone fracture:
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Pain
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Swelling
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Tenderness
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Discoloration & Bruising
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Inability to move the affected part.
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Bump (not seen usually)
When to Meet a Doctor?
If you have severe pain and are unable to move the affected area, you must see an orthopedician immediately, especially if you suspect a bone injury. Your doctor will recommend an X-ray or a CT scan to confirm the fracture. Consult the best orthopaedic surgeon in Bangalore for your treatment.
Bone Fracture Treatment Options
The treatment of bone fractures includes:
Immobilization
In case of a mild fracture, your doctor may recommend immobilization to prevent movement through the use of a splint or a cast. A splint may last 3 to 5 weeks, whereas casts can take around 6 to 8 weeks to help heal the bone.
Closed reduction
During certain bone fractures (mostly wrist and forearm fractures), a closed reduction procedure is performed where the body is pushed or pulled to realign the displaced bone back to its place. Local or general anaesthesia is preferred to help you avoid any pain. You may have to use a splint or a cast for a few weeks after the procedure.
Surgery
Surgery is often done in severe cases of bone fractures.
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Internal fixation
In this type of surgery, the surgeon may make use of screws, plates, rods, pins and wires. Some patients may have to live with these surgical pieces for a lifetime. Some may need another surgery to remove these pieces.
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External fixation
The surgeon may fix the bone with a screw on either side of the fracture inside the body. These are then connected to braces or brackets on the outside of the body.
Along with these interventions, your doctor may prescribe certain painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
In most cases, the recovery time of a fractured bone is 8 to 10 weeks. Children usually recover faster than adults.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in achieving full recovery from these bone fractures. As soon as immobilization is done, your doctor will recommend physiotherapy. It helps reduce pain and swelling and promotes healing while encouraging weight-bearing. Physiotherapy also strengthens the weakened muscles and gives the bones the flexibility to move.
Complications of Bone Fracture and Risks of Bone Fracture Surgery
Bones have a rich supply of blood. Thus, during a bone fracture, you are likely to suffer from a lot of blood loss. A broken bone can affect nearby organs or tissues - the chest organs may get affected if ribs are broken or the brain can get affected if the skull is damaged. Open fractures also cause the bones to penetrate the skin - this increases the risk of infections.
Sometimes, during a bone fracture surgery, pressure can build up in the muscles, preventing the flow of blood into the tissues. As a result, there can be permanent damage to nerves and muscles. There can also be malunion or nonunion during the recovery period. Malunion is when the bones don’t align while healing; Nonunion is when the broken bones don’t get attached.
Can You Prevent Bone Fractures?
While it is hard as we are always at risk of fractures while doing our daily activities, here are some steps to prevent bone fractures:
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Keep your house clutter-free to avoid tripping off and falling on the ground.
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Use a seat belt while travelling in the car.
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Follow a good diet and exercise regularly for optimal bone health. It will not only prevent the chances of bone fractures but also help you live a better quality of life.
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Talk to your doctor about your risks of developing osteoporosis and ways to improve your bone density.
Many of us must have suffered from a bone fracture. It can be painful and make it difficult to perform routine activities. Understand the bone fracture symptoms so that you can take the necessary measures to treat it. If you suspect issues with your bone, see your doctor immediately and initiate treatment early.
FAQs
1. Can bone fractures heal on their own?
Yes, not all types of fractures need surgery; some may heal on their own. But, this can only be assessed by an orthopaedic doctor as it depends on the type of fracture and its severity.
2. Is exercise allowed if there is a fracture?
Exercise can be allowed but to be done under your doctor’s recommendation. You may not be allowed to move your affected part as it needs to heal. Physiotherapy sessions may help in accelerating your recovery from bone fractures.
3. Can an X-ray miss a fracture?
Yes, some fractures may not be detected in an X-ray image because of their nondisplaced nature. In this case, your doctor will suggest a CT scan or an MRI.
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