Fractures can range from a little break to a serious, life-threatening one, and their symptoms are frequently mistaken for other kinds of wounds. To determine the best course of therapy and avoid major problems, getting a thorough medical evaluation is essential. Below, we’ve listed several types of fractures and potential treatments.

Open (Compound) fracture

This fracture’s shattered bone pierces the skin due to significant trauma. An open fracture needs immediate surgery due to its severity to address soft tissue damage, stop potentially fatal consequences, guarantee bone alignment and stabilization, and promote routine healing.

Stress fracture

A stress fracture happens when a bone, typically in the lower leg or foot, breaks due to repeated stress or impact. Track and field athletes and prospective military members are more likely to suffer from this fracture.

A doctor for orthopedics may advise using ice on the affected area, adjusting one’s activity level, wearing a brace, or utilizing crutches, among other treatments, to treat a stress fracture.

Surgery is not a common intervention, but it is occasionally necessary to guarantee complete recovery, particularly in locations with limited blood supply. Elite athletes who desire to resume their sport sooner or employees whose professions primarily require the use of the affected area may also choose surgery.

Buckle fracture

This fracture happens when the bone wiggles and flexes but does not completely break, and children are most likely to experience it. In addition to using pain or anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the symptoms, treatment typically entails immobilizing the injured limb in a cast or splint.

An orthopedic specialist may advise traction if immobilization is ineffective. Traction is a procedure that involves gently and steadily pushing the patient’s body in one direction. At the same time, the doctor applies pressure to assist the broken bone ends align and heal.

Greenstick fractures

When the bone splits but does not break through, it experiences a greenstick fracture. Children often experience it since their bones are more flexible. When treating greenstick fractures, orthopedic specialists typically immobilize the affected area for up to 6 weeks with a cast or splint.

Comminuted fracture

This happens when the bone fractures into numerous fragments, frequently resulting from high-impact trauma, like an automobile collision. Surgery is often utilized as a form of treatment to hold the broken bone together while it heals.

Compressive fracture

When pressure causes the bone to collapse, this is known as a compression fracture. Due to osteoporosis, this form of spine fracture is more frequent in elderly persons. Medication, rest, back bracing, and physical therapy are conservative treatments for compression fractures. Surgery may occasionally be necessary if the fracture doesn’t heal on its own following a prolonged course of conservative care.

Pathologic fracture

In contrast to fractures caused by trauma, pathologic fractures have a disease—such as metastatic cancer—as their underlying cause. Surgery is typically required to remove the diseased tissue from a pathologic fracture. Following that, an orthopedic surgeon uses metal rods, plates, or screws to support the bone.

conclusion

Make sure to consult a doctor immediately if you believe you may have fractured an arm or leg.