Physical trauma, overuse, and health conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, are the leading causes of bone fractures. As a person ages, the likelihood of their developing a condition that weakens the bones is also greater.
They will then carry out a physical examination to reach a diagnosis. Bone healing is a natural process that, in most cases, will occur naturally. Therefore, treatment typically focuses on providing the injured bone with the best circumstances for healing, and ensuring optimal future function. For the natural healing process to begin, a doctor will reduce the fracture.
This involves lining up the ends of the broken bones. In smaller fractures, a doctor can do this by manipulating the affected area externally. However, in some instances, this may require surgery. Once a medical professional has aligned the fracture, they will ensure it stays in place. Methods of doing so include :. Fractures can take several weeks to several months to heal, depending on their severity. The duration is contingent on which bone has become affected and whether there are any complications, such as a blood supply problem or an infection.
Other factors that can affect bone healing include :. After the bone has healed, it may be necessary to restore muscle strength and mobility to the affected area through physical therapy. If the fracture occurs near or through a joint, there is a risk of permanent stiffness or arthritis.
If this happens, a person may not be able to bend that joint as well as before the injury. While bone fractures typically heal well with appropriate treatment, there can be complications, such as:. Non-unions are fractures that fail to heal, while delayed unions are those that take longer to heal.
A person can reduce their risk of bone fractures through a number of remedies and lifestyle changes. The human body needs adequate supplies of calcium for healthy bones. Milk , cheese , yogurt , and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium.
The body also requires vitamin D to absorb calcium. Exposure to sunlight and eating eggs and oily fish are good ways of getting vitamin D. Engaging in weight-bearing exercise can help improve muscle mass and bone density. In addition, you may not be able to move the affected area. Diagnosing a compound fracture involves a physical examination by a doctor who will likely also order imaging tests to confirm the extent of the bone break and if there is any other damage in the area.
Typically, your emergency care doctor will order an X-ray and possibly an MRI or a CT scan in the case of a compound fracture. Treatment for bone fractures usually involves fracture reduction, which is the realignment of the broken bone. This assists the bone in healing itself. Your doctor may use surgical screws, nails, metal plates, and even external fixators that remain outside the body to encourage optimum healing of the fractured bone.
After a fracture reduction procedure, you will likely be wearing a cast, splint, or brace that will immobilize the area for a period of time after surgery. The length of immobilization depends on the severity of the injury and which bone is affected. But usually, it takes anywhere between weeks. You may also have to use assistive devices, such as crutches, depending on the location of the broken bone. One crucial aspect of post-op fracture treatment is physical therapy, which can help restore your strength, range of motion, and functional movement after your immobilization period is completed.
Our surgeons at Orthopaedic Associates have specialized skills and experience to diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries, including compound fractures. The bone and joint specialists at Orthopaedic Associates provide highly individualized and compassionate care to our patients.
We make sure that you receive the best care possible. List of Partners vendors. An open fracture is a broken bone that penetrates the skin. This is an important distinction because when a broken bone penetrates the skin there is a need for immediate treatment, and an operation is often required to clean the area of the fracture. Furthermore, because of the risk of infection, there are more often problems associated with healing when a fracture is open to the skin.
Open fractures are typically caused by high-energy injuries such as car crashes, falls, or sports injuries. The severity of an open fracture is generally classified according to a system called the Gustilo-Anderson open fracture classification system.
This classification system gives information about the likelihood of infection and the anticipated time for healing of an open fracture. All open fractures are considered contaminated because of the communication between the fracture site and the environment outside of the body. While actual rates of contamination can vary, all open fractures should be considered to be contaminated.
The most likely bacteria to contaminate a wound are the normal bacteria that are found on the skin surface of your body. Open fractures in the foot may involve other bacteria.
In addition, open fractures in specific environments may lead to exposure to specific bacteria. For example, farmers who sustain open fractures that are contaminated with farm soils have different types of infections that may require specific antibiotic treatment. Open fractures require urgent surgery to clean the area of the injury.
Because of the break in the skin, debris and infection can travel to the fracture location, and lead to a high rate of infection in the bone.
Once an infection is established, it can be a difficult problem to solve. The timing of surgery is a subject of debate, as traditionally orthopedic surgeons have recommended surgery performed within six hours of the injury.
More recently, some data has supported performing surgery with slightly less urgency, but within 24 hours of the injury. In addition to surgical cleansing of the wound, treatment should include appropriate antibiotics and stabilization of the fracture.
Patients should receive a tetanus shot if they are not up-to-date or are unaware of their vaccination status. Treatment of established bone infections often requires multiple surgeries, prolonged antibiotic treatment, and long-term problems.
Despite this early treatment, patients with an open fracture are still highly susceptible to bone infections. Open fractures usually take longer to heal because of the extent of injury to the bone and the surrounding soft-tissues. Open fractures also have a high rate of complications including infection and non-union.
Emergency care will involve antibiotics, cleaning of the fracture site, and stabilization of the bones. Even with these proper treatment steps, the healing of an open fracture typically takes longer and a comparable closed fracture injury. For example, if a tibia fracture is a closed injury, it may take an average of 3 months for healing where is an open fracture may take weeks longer even if the fracture pattern is similar.
As the severity of the open fracture increases, the likelihood of complications, and the length of time for healing, also increases proportionally. Open fractures or serious injuries that require urgent medical treatment.
While there is variation in the exact protocol of management of an open fracture, in general, they will always require antibiotic administration and surgical cleansing.
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