Bone Fracture – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!
Bone Fracture – What it is, Symptoms and Treatment s of this condition. In addition, Bone Fracture is the loss of continuity of a bone , which divides it into two or more fragments. Bone Fractures are very frequent events.
Although there are several accidental causes of fractures, about 40% of fractures happen in the home. Some fractures are so simple that they go unnoticed or resolve spontaneously, but others can be so serious that they are life-threatening.
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Fractures can occur randomly in all people, but there is a higher incidence in certain specific groups, such as in postmenopausal women, due to osteoporosis (decreased bone density due to lower production of estrogen hormones ) and in the elderly, due to increased number of falls and bone and muscle fragility.
Causes of Bone Fracture: You can develop Bone Fracture when your bone or bones is/are affected with more pressure or force than it can handle. This force usually occurs suddenly or is very intense. The strength of the force determines the severity of the fracture.
Some common causes of Bone Fracture include:
- falls;
- Direct attacks to your body;
- Traumatic events such as car accidents or gunshot wounds;
- Sports injuries .
Bone Fracture Symptoms: Most Bone Fractures are accompanied by severe pain when the initial injury occurs. It can get worse when you move or something touches the injured area. In some cases, you can get past the pain. You may also feel dizzy or cold from shock.
Other potential symptoms of Bone Fracture include:
- An instantaneous or grinding sound when injury occurs;
- Swelling, redness and bruising in the injured area;
- Difficulty bearing weight in the injured area;
- Visible deformity in the injured area;
In some cases, you may see broken bones poking at your skin .
Bone Fracture Treatments: If you are diagnosed with Bone Fracture , the treatment plan will depend on its type and location.
In general, your doctor will try to place the broken pieces of bone in their proper positions and stabilize them as they heal. It is important to keep broken bone fragments immobilized until they are repaired. During the healing process, new bone will form around the edges of the broken pieces. If they are properly aligned and stabilized, the new bone will eventually connect the pieces.
Your doctor may use a cast to stabilize your broken bone . Your cast will likely be made of plaster or fiberglass. This will help keep the injured area stabilized and prevent the broken pieces of bone from moving around as they heal.
In rare cases, you may need traction to stabilize the injured area. Traction stretches the muscles and tendons around the bone . Your doctor will administer it using a system of pulleys and weights positioned on a metal frame over your bed. This system will produce a smooth motion that your doctor can use to stabilize the injured area.
For more complex or compound fractures, you may need surgery. Your doctor may use open reduction and internal fixation or external fixation to keep your bones from moving.
In open reduction and internal fixation, your doctor will first reposition or “reduce” the broken pieces of bone into their normal alignment. Then they will connect or “fix” the broken bone . This occurs using screws, metal plates, or both. In some cases, your doctor may insert rods through the center of your bone.
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In external fixation, your doctor will place pins or screws in your bone above and below the fracture site. They will connect these pins or screws to a metal stabilizer bar positioned on the outside of your skin . The bar will hold your bone in place until it heals.