Trauma and Fractures
About Fractures
A fracture is, quite simply put, a break in the bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture.
A sudden fall, injuries in sports and road accidents are the most common causes of fracture. Osteoporosis, which causes weakening of the bones, also results in fracture. Sometimes, overuse can also cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone. An Orthopaedician's intervention is necessary in treating all types of fractures.
Ortho One caters to all types of fractures, with the latest treatment options in the field. Our goal is to bring back the person to their pre-injury state at the earliest.
Symptoms of a Fracture
A fractures is quite simple to identify as it most often
results in
- Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
- Swelling, bruising or bleeding
- Intense pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
All types of fractures need immediate medical care, as the patient may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes, surgery may also be necessary to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.
- Stop the bleeding - Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing
- Immobilize the injured area - Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
- Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply ice directly to the skin - wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
- Treat for shock - If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs
Treatment of Fractures
At Ortho One, the treatment of a fracture varies considerably with the type and severity of injury, associated injuries present, and your medical history. Once the type of fracture is known, general principles of treatment include:
- "Reducing" the fracture if it is displaced (trying to regain proper alignment) by either closed (no incision into the skin) or by open methods (surgery).
- Immobilization or maintaining proper alignment while the bones heal back together by using a splint, cast, or internal fixation device positioned during surgery.
- Rehabilitation after healing to regain muscle, motion, and smooth functioning
- Weight-bearing and increasing activities as tolerated will be recommended for your specific fracture by your physician.
An average patient with a common fracture will usually recover in time to normal functioning with proper treatment. However, it is important to note that recovery also depends on severity of the fracture and overall injury, your individual bone healing, and rehabilitation.
- Mild swelling of the injured area is common during the first few days. Swelling may make your cast feel tight initially. To reduce swelling, keep the cast above the level of your heart for 24 to 48 hours. This can be accomplished by resting it on pillows. Also, gently move your fingers or toes (where the cast is located) frequently.
- Ice helps keep the swelling down. Apply a bag of ice (or a bag of frozen vegetables) covered with a thin towel to the cast for 20 minutes every two hours while awake. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Take your pain medicine if you have pain. After the first few days, you may be able to take a non-prescription pain medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol and others).
- Do not get the cast or splint wet. To bathe with a cast, cover the cast with a plastic bag, tape the opening shut, and keep away from water. Even when covered with plastic, you should not place the cast in water or allow water to run over the area. Waterproof cast covers are available at medical supply stores, but these are not completely waterproof.
- If the cast becomes wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer on the cool setting. Do not use the warm or hot setting because this can burn the skin. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to pull air through the cast and speed drying.
- Keep the cast clean and avoid getting dirt or sand inside the cast. Do not apply powder or lotion on or near the cast. Cover the cast while eating.
- Do not place anything inside the cast, even for itchy areas. Sticking items inside the cast can injure the skin and lead to infection. Using a hair dryer on the cool setting may help soothe itching.
- Do not pull the padding out from inside your cast.
Get immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:
- If there are sore areas or a foul odor from the cast, cracks or breaks in the cast, or the cast feels too tight.
- You develop swelling that causes pain or makes it difficult to move your fingers or toes.
- You develop tingling or numbness in the arm or fingers or toes.
- Your fingers or toes are blue or cold.
- You develop severe pain in or near the casted arm or leg.
- The cast becomes soaking wet and does not dry with a hair dryer or vacuum.