Fractures
What are Fractures?
A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. Fractures can range from minor hairline cracks to complete breaks, where the bone is shattered into multiple pieces. They are most commonly caused by trauma, but can also result from repetitive stress over time, or from osteoporosis. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body.
Symptoms of a fracture typically include immediate pain at the site of injury, swelling, bruising, and an inability or difficulty using the affected area. In more severe cases, a visible deformity may be present. Open fractures, where the broken bone pierces through the skin, carry a higher risk of infection.
Fractures are considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated and treated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If you experience a fracture, head to your nearest emergency department.
Treatment Options
Non-Operative Treatments
Immobilization with a cast, splint, or brace to hold the bone in proper alignment and allow it to heal naturally over time.
Closed reduction, where a healthcare professional manually realigns the broken bone fragments without the need for surgery, followed by immobilization to maintain the correct position.
Protected weight bearing or non-weight bearing with the use of crutches or a walker to reduce stress on the fracture site during healing.
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) in the early stages to help manage pain and swelling around the fracture site.
NSAIDs or pain medication to control discomfort throughout the recovery period.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation following immobilization to restore strength, flexibility, and function to the affected area.
Bone stimulators, which use electrical or ultrasonic stimulation to encourage bone healing in cases where the fracture is slow to heal.
Surgical Options
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): A procedure where the fracture site is surgically opened, the bone fragments are carefully realigned, and hardware such as plates, screws, or rods are attached directly to the bone to hold everything in place while healing occurs.
Intramedullary Nailing: A metal rod is inserted into the hollow canal running through the center of the bone to stabilize the fracture from within.
External Fixation: A stabilizing frame is attached to the bone through pins or screws that pass through the skin, holding the fracture in alignment from the outside.
Bone Grafting: A procedure where bone material taken from the patient, a donor, or a synthetic source is used to fill gaps at the fracture site and stimulate new bone growth.
Joint Replacement: The damaged bone and joint surface are replaced with an artificial implant to restore function and relieve pain.
Percutaneous Pinning: A minimally invasive technique where small pins are inserted through the skin and into the bone to hold fracture fragments in proper alignment without the need for a large incision.