Treating Broken Bones

On this page you will learn about treating broken bones, the different types of fractures and other important information. Make sure you take a look at the video on the bottom of this page.

What is a Fracture?

A break in the bone is also known as a bone fracture. Most people will have a fracture at some point in their lives.

What Makes a Person More Susceptible to Fractures?

• Children and adults who participate in contact sports or who are extremely active are more likely to have bone fractures.
  
  
• Older people with low bone density (osteoporosis), women are at greater risk than men.
  
  
• Certain cancers, bone tumors or brittle-bone disease.

What are the Symptoms of a Fracture?

• Unable to move the affected area without severe pain.
  
  
• Can not bear weight or pressure on the affected area.
  
  
• Swelling around the injured area.
  
  
• Deformity of a limb.
  
  
• Bruising around the injured area.
  
  
• Loss of function of the affected area.

What Causes a Fracture?

When a bone can not stand the physical force exerted on it, such as in a fall, some type of physical abuse, in a motor vehicle accident or disease.

Types of Fractures

• Simple: the fractured bone breaks into two pieces.
  
  
• Stress: small cracks in a bone that occur over time.
  
  
• Comminuted: the fractured bone fragments into several pieces.
  
  
• Impacted: one fragment of bone is imbedded into another fragment of bone.
  
  
• Compound: when a fractured bone breaks through the skin.
  
  
• Complete: when the fractured bone snaps completely into two or more pieces.
  
  
• Incomplete: when the fractured bone cracks but does not separate.

Ways That Bone Fractures Are Diagnosed

• Physical examination.
  
  
• X-rays of the injured area.
  
  
• Diagnostic imaging tests for fractures that are difficult to see, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treating Broken Bones

The goal of treatment is to have a completely healed and well-aligned bone that functions normally. The bone should look good when healed and have no deformities.

Realignment procedures most commonly used are:

• Using a cast or a splint to immobilize the fracture.
  
  
• Setting the bone using surgery. During the surgery the doctor may insert a pin, plate, rod or screw to hold the bone in place.

Once the bone is realigned, rehabilitation and medication will help in the recovery. Rehabilitation prevents the area from getting stiff. It involves light movement of the tissues surrounding a fracture. It will increase the blood flow while helping the healing process. Medication is used to help with the pain.

See the following video on treating broken bones

Ways to Help Prevent Fractures

• Weight bearing exercises should be done under the advice of your doctor.
  
  
• Take sufficient amounts of calcium to strengthen and help prevent bone fractures (consult with your doctor).
  
  
• Always wear your safety belt while driving in a car.
  
  
• People in contact sports should wear appropriate protective equipment.
  
  
• Women over 50 should increase their calcium intake (under the advice of their doctor).
  
  
  See the Video on Treating Broken Bones:
  
  
  
  
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