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Fracture Care
Fracture Care
A fracture is also known as a break or broken bone. It can occur as a result of a fall, a blow, or from repeated micro trauma in weakened bone (called a “stress fracture”). Fractures are very common; more than 50% of people will sustain a broken bone in their lifetime.
Fractures are often classified in terms of their descriptive qualities. They can be complete (through the entire bone) or incomplete (through only part of the bone); displaced or non displaced; and angulated, rotated or translated in an abnormal alignment. Most fractures are closed, meaning they are contained within the skin and soft tissue. An open fracture, where the bone has protruded through the skin, is considered an emergency and you should report to an emergency room as soon as possible.
What are the Symptoms? Pain is the most common symptom. The area may appear misshapen or swollen. Patients find it difficult to raise the extremity or move the area of injury and may find a great deal of tenderness over the site. Any movement of the limb or area is restricted and accompanied by a gritty sensation.
On examination, there is often a deformity of the area accompanied by tenderness on pressing the bone gently. A slight deformity may be seen which appears like a bump or irregularity.
How is it Diagnosed? Fractures are often classified in terms of their descriptive qualities. They can be complete (through the entire bone) or incomplete (through only part of the bone); displaced or non displaced; and angulated, rotated or translated in an abnormal alignment. Most fractures are closed, meaning they are contained within the skin and soft tissue. An open fracture, where the bone has protruded through the skin, is considered an emergency and you should report to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Treatment of a Broken Bone
There are two main ways to treat a broken or fractured bone.
The first way is using conservative methods. This involves offering patients support that will remove any stress on the bone and allow the fracture to heal. Pain medication may be prescribed along with other medications. Patients can also benefit from physical therapy once the bone has demonstrated sufficient healing.
The other method involves surgical treatment. Every fracture pattern has specific findings and data supporting if and when it needs to be operated on. This will be a discussion that should be had between you and your surgeon. Surgery is usually performed with either sedation or general anesthesia, so that you will not feel any discomfort or pain during the operation. Surgery includes closed or open fixation of the bone (called a “reduction”) and usually the use of metal implants to hold the bone and soft tissue structures in place. This can include plates, screws, nails, rods, pins or other implants. The implants are usually left in place for the rest of your life; bone healing usually takes 6-12 weeks, and after that the implant does not usually cause any issues. Sometimes, after healing is done, the implant is removed after a discussion between you and the surgeon. Complications can occur with any surgery, but your surgical team does everything possible to minimize those risks.
What are the steps in fracture fixation?
Preparing for the Procedure: Anesthetic is given once the patient has been placed into a position that allows the surgeon clear access to the injury. This area is made clean and sterile.
Creating Access to the Fracture: The surgeon creates an initial incision to gain access to the site of the fracture. Modern surgery uses minimal incisions to allow limited soft tissue disruption and improved healing. The surgeon then corrects the alignment of the fractured bone.
Stabilizing with the Implant: The surgeon then inserts an implant. Many different types of implants are used to stabilize the fracture site and allow the bone to heal.
End of the Procedure: Once the fracture has been stabilized, the surgeon closes the incision with surgical staples or sutures. Once the incision is closed, the arm is bandaged. A splint, sling or brace may be used, but often it is just a soft dressing.
After Treatment: Your surgeon will discuss with you any protection you need to maintain, such as limited weight bearing on an extremity or limited range of motion of your arm or leg.
Many fracture surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Sometimes you will need to be monitored or given medication and may have to stay in the hospital; your surgeon will discuss this with you ahead of time. Patients sometimes need physical therapy to help restore full mobility of the injury area after the fracture has healed. This can include regular movement along with mild weight training to strengthen the muscles. Your surgeon will discuss with you specific healing protocols and aftercare.
Fractures are often classified in terms of their descriptive qualities. They can be complete (through the entire bone) or incomplete (through only part of the bone); displaced or non displaced; and angulated, rotated or translated in an abnormal alignment. Most fractures are closed, meaning they are contained within the skin and soft tissue. An open fracture, where the bone has protruded through the skin, is considered an emergency and you should report to an emergency room as soon as possible.
What are the Symptoms? Pain is the most common symptom. The area may appear misshapen or swollen. Patients find it difficult to raise the extremity or move the area of injury and may find a great deal of tenderness over the site. Any movement of the limb or area is restricted and accompanied by a gritty sensation.
On examination, there is often a deformity of the area accompanied by tenderness on pressing the bone gently. A slight deformity may be seen which appears like a bump or irregularity.
How is it Diagnosed? Fractures are often classified in terms of their descriptive qualities. They can be complete (through the entire bone) or incomplete (through only part of the bone); displaced or non displaced; and angulated, rotated or translated in an abnormal alignment. Most fractures are closed, meaning they are contained within the skin and soft tissue. An open fracture, where the bone has protruded through the skin, is considered an emergency and you should report to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Treatment of a Broken Bone
There are two main ways to treat a broken or fractured bone.
The first way is using conservative methods. This involves offering patients support that will remove any stress on the bone and allow the fracture to heal. Pain medication may be prescribed along with other medications. Patients can also benefit from physical therapy once the bone has demonstrated sufficient healing.
The other method involves surgical treatment. Every fracture pattern has specific findings and data supporting if and when it needs to be operated on. This will be a discussion that should be had between you and your surgeon. Surgery is usually performed with either sedation or general anesthesia, so that you will not feel any discomfort or pain during the operation. Surgery includes closed or open fixation of the bone (called a “reduction”) and usually the use of metal implants to hold the bone and soft tissue structures in place. This can include plates, screws, nails, rods, pins or other implants. The implants are usually left in place for the rest of your life; bone healing usually takes 6-12 weeks, and after that the implant does not usually cause any issues. Sometimes, after healing is done, the implant is removed after a discussion between you and the surgeon. Complications can occur with any surgery, but your surgical team does everything possible to minimize those risks.
What are the steps in fracture fixation?
Preparing for the Procedure: Anesthetic is given once the patient has been placed into a position that allows the surgeon clear access to the injury. This area is made clean and sterile.
Creating Access to the Fracture: The surgeon creates an initial incision to gain access to the site of the fracture. Modern surgery uses minimal incisions to allow limited soft tissue disruption and improved healing. The surgeon then corrects the alignment of the fractured bone.
Stabilizing with the Implant: The surgeon then inserts an implant. Many different types of implants are used to stabilize the fracture site and allow the bone to heal.
End of the Procedure: Once the fracture has been stabilized, the surgeon closes the incision with surgical staples or sutures. Once the incision is closed, the arm is bandaged. A splint, sling or brace may be used, but often it is just a soft dressing.
After Treatment: Your surgeon will discuss with you any protection you need to maintain, such as limited weight bearing on an extremity or limited range of motion of your arm or leg.
Many fracture surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Sometimes you will need to be monitored or given medication and may have to stay in the hospital; your surgeon will discuss this with you ahead of time. Patients sometimes need physical therapy to help restore full mobility of the injury area after the fracture has healed. This can include regular movement along with mild weight training to strengthen the muscles. Your surgeon will discuss with you specific healing protocols and aftercare.