Bone Fracture
Generalized Injuries > Bone Fracture
There are various kinds of bone fractures (open, closed, complete, displaced, partial, stress, etc.) They can all be diagnosed and may be treated in the same way. A bone fracture (broken bone) occurs when part of a bone breaks into one or more pieces.
Mechanism of Injury: A bone fracture is most often a result from a traumatic injury (fall, accident, hit, etc.)
Contributing Factors: Age. Bone density. Trauma. Training errors.
Signs/Symptoms: Sharp/intense pain upon impact. Pain with movement. Deformity/swelling/discoloration in the area.
At Home Tests: Visible deformity. Point tenderness on the bone. Inability to bear weight on the limb.
At Home Treatment: Rest. Ice on/off for 20 mins. NSAID usage.
Types of Bone Fractures
Oblique Non-Displaced: also known as a hairline fracture, the bone segments do not shift or separate.
Oblique Displaced: same as above, but the bones are shifted and separated
Transverse:
Greenstick: found almost exclusively in children due to their pliable bones, this type of fracture is characterized by a splintering patterns at the fracture site, similar to how a stick looks when you crack it.
Comminuted: a fracture where the bone is broken in two or more places
Segmental:
Open/Compound: also known as an open fracture, the bone breaks the skin in a compound fracture. Compound fractures are associated with a higher risk infection.
Avulsion: a fracture occurring where a ligament or tendon inserts into the bone.
Stress: a stress fracture is associated with repeated overuse/microtrauma rather than a major, one time trauma that causes all other fractures. Symptoms come on over time and are aggravated by activity. Most common in the feet and lower legs. Click here to learn more.
Buckle: found almost exclusively in children due to their pliable, immature bones a buckle fracture occurs when the bone bulges, but goes not snap. Also known as an impact fracture. (not pictured)
Spiral: a spiral fracture is typically caused by a twisting trauma, and creates a corkscrew/spiral crack in the bone.
When to Seek Help: If you have a visible deformity, are unable to bear weight on the affected limb, or have point tenderness on a bone, please report to your nearest emergency medical department for diagnostic imaging and immobilization.
Treatment at Inspired Athletx: Physical therapy can begin before you are out of your immobilizing device! This early PT will minimize the cascading effects that immobilization and/or non-weightbearing has on the adjacent joints or other areas of the body. Once you are out of your cast/brace, your physical therapist will use manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, strengthening exercises, and gait training to address the negative effects of immobilization: muscle atrophy/strength loss, gait abnormalities, joint and soft tissue stiffness, loss of balance/limb control. Click here to schedule a physical therapy evaluation with us.
Disclaimer: The content contained in this section of the website is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to function as a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.
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