Thousands of Americans experience broken bones each and every year. The kinds of fractures and their treatments vary widely. So, read about them in this blog so you are informed about the common types of bone fractures and treatment options your orthopedic surgeon in Naples, FL, offers.
What Causes a Bone Fracture?
A bone fractures or breaks when it is subjected to more force or pressure than it is strong enough to bear. Falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and other incidents cause bone fractures. Certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis and cancer, may weaken bones, making them more prone to fractures.
Even repetitive impacts due to running or other forceful movements can break bones. These types of bone fractures are called stress fractures.
What Are the Common Types of Bone Fractures?
Fractures are highly individualized. How a bone breaks depends on the overall health of the person, the impact received, and the location of the force applied to the bone.
Orthopedic physicians use many terms to categorize the type of fracture someone has sustained. Physical examination, along with X-rays or other kinds of imaging, confirm the diagnosis and help determine the best course of treatment.
Here are just some of the most frequently seen and treated bone fractures.
Open and Closed
With an open fracture, the bone ends no longer meet but instead, are separated. A compound fracture is an open fracture in which the bone ends do not meet and actually pierce through the skin as well.
With a closed fracture, the bone ends are not displaced or separated. Instead, the bone ends still are joined. A common sense way to refer to a closed fracture is to say that the bone is cracked.
Greenstick
A greenstick fracture usually happens to young children under the age of 10. Because their bones are much softer than those of adults, kids’ long bones–the upper arm, or humerus, for example–bend rather than actually snap.
The effect is similar to a young tree branch bending and splintering along one side. Hence, healthcare providers use the term “greenstick.”
Comminuted
A comminuted fracture is one in which a bone breaks into more than two pieces. This type of fracture can have multiple breaks or cracks throughout the bone, making it more difficult to treat and to heal. A skull fracture typically is a comminuted fracture.
Spiral
A spiral fracture can be confused with a greenstick fracture. However, the two are distinctly different.
A spiral fracture results from a twisting force on a long bone, such as the femur or upper leg bone. The fracture actually wraps around the bone with the same pattern, or orientation, as a metal spring or a spiral staircase. A hard tackle during a game of football can cause a spiral fracture.
Treatment Options for Bone Fractures
Orthopedic surgeons have a number of innovative and customizable ways to treat fractures. Of course, first aid always involves stabilization of a suspected break with a sling or Ace bandage, followed by a trip to the emergency room or orthopedic office. There, x-rays and other diagnostic tests help the provider arrive at an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
For most fractures, treatment typically involves immobilization using a cast or splint. Immobilization allows the bones to heal in their proper position without further movement.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to properly align and stabilize the broken bone. The orthopedic surgeon may use metal plates, screws or rods to hold the bone pieces together.
This hardware may be installed directly into the bone (internal fixation). Alternatively, the doctor may use hardware attached to a bracket or brace located outside the body part. This procedure is called external fixation.
Additionally, people who sustain breaks due to disease processes such as osteoporosis may need surgery to replace fractured joints. Orthopedic surgeons perform literally thousands of knee and joint replacements, or arthroplasties, annually in the United States.
Finally, pain management and therapy are important aspects of recovery from a fracture. Non-opioid medications, such as NSAIDS, are the mainstays of fracture pain management. However, your orthopedic specialist can use nerve blocks, PRP therapy, and other innovative pain management techniques for ongoing pain related to bone breaks.
Also, physical therapy helps restore strength and range of motion. Occupational therapy teaches patients how to adapt to daily activities while healing from their fractures.
Fracture and Pain Management Options in Naples, FL
At the Joint Replacement Institute, our six board-certified orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat all kinds of bone fractures. They help patients heal well, control pain, and regain normal movement and strength in the affected areas.
To learn more about our state-of-the-art care and treatments, call us at (239) 261-2663 or request a visit here. Plus, if you suspect you have a fracture, get treatment as soon as possible. We are here to help you have excellent musculoskeletal health and function.
