fractures

The significance of the bones in the body cannot be overemphasized.

Aside from serving as protection for the body’s organs, it also serves as attachment points for the muscles and makes movements like kneeling, lifting, running, jumping, and sitting possible.

When force is exerted on the bones after a blow or fall, it might not be able to withstand the trauma and will break.

The loss of integrity will more often than not result to bone fractures.

In some instances, bone fractures do not occur as a result of blows or falls.

In the case of those people who are suffering from osteoporosis for instance, it won’t require much for the bone to break. This is especially true if the bone has become brittle secondary to lack of calcium.

Bone fractures are classified based on some of the following factors:

The bone alignment
Whether complications in nerve or blood function as present
Whether the skin of the site of the injury is intact

Some of the most prevalent types of bone fractures include:

Broken Hip

$Individuals who are 75 years old and above are highly susceptible to hip fractures$ .

While the injuries are often attributed to falls and trauma, some cases of broken bones can be traced back to osteoporosis.

In most cases, surgery will be the likely treatment option.

It will however depend on the fracture’s location in the femur.

Broken Hand or Fingers

Since the hands and fingers are often used in day-to-day activities, injuries to them are very common.

Aside from checking for any broken bones, health care professionals will also assess if there are damage to the tendons or the nerves.

If the fracture is complicated, the patient will most likely be referred to an orthopedic or hand specialist.

While not many are aware of it, the anatomy of the hand is very complex and will require specialized attention.

While some cases will only need splinting or casting, others will need surgery.

Compression Fractures

Compression fractures often result from injury, osteoporosis, or trauma.

Compression fractures that are secondary to injury, they can come with spinal cord or nerve root irritation.
People suffering from osteoporosis lack calcium in their bones. Aside from weak bones, vertebrae of patients suffering from osteoporosis also tend to get weak. This can result to difficulty in holding up against the force of gravity. Eventually, this can also lead to compression.
Compression fractures can also be attributed to falls as well as motor vehicle crashes.

Skull Fractures

The skull functions as protection for the brain.

While a massive blow is required to cause a fracture, fractures of any kind to the skull are not to be taken lightly.

Bleeding of the injured site and localized swelling are often considered telltale manifestation of skull fractures.

Skull fractures have different types:

Basilar skull fracture

This type refers to the damage that occurs to the bone situated at the base of the brain. Common indicators of basilar fracture include bloody drainage from either the ear or nose, bruising at the left ear (battle’s sign), and bruising around the eyes (raccoon eyes).

Depressed skull fracture

Depressed skull fractures occur when is the bone is broken, with the bone fragments pushed inwards.

While surgery might be an option, it would still depend on the depression depth and if there are damage to the brain tissues.

Open skull fracture

This type of skull fracture occurs when the scalp becomes lacerated and the possibility the wound will connect with the meninges becomes highly likely. The meninges are the brains’ fibrous covering.

In most cases, surgery will be performed to help ensure infection is kept at bay.

To know more about your fractures and how they can be treated accordingly, head to www.bjios.sg now.

A broken bone or a fracture occurs when the force exerted that is exerted on the bone is more than it can bear.

Some of the common symptoms of the condition include severe pain and loss of function.

In some cases, bleeding around the site that is injured will also manifest.

There are different types of bone fractures.

Oftentimes, the severity of the condition will depend on several factors such as age, strength and direction of the force, the individual’s overall health, and the specific bone involved.

Some of the most common bone fractures occur in the ankle, wrist, and hip.

Older people however are more prone to hip fractures.

Causes

Some of the most common causes of bone fractures include:

Some cancers (can cause the bones to easily break)
Falls
Vehicle accidents
Sporting injuries
Certain bone conditions like osteoporosis

Symptoms

$While bone fractures are not the same as dislocations, in some cases, it can be difficult to tell one from the other$

While bone fractures are not the same as dislocations, in some cases, it can be difficult to tell one from the other.

Oftentimes, bone fracture symptoms will depend on the bone affected as well as the severity of the injury.

However, the following are some of the common manifestations of bone fracture:

Deformity
Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Inability to use the limb affected

Types

There are different types of bone fractures.

The following are some of the most common:

Open or compound fracture – this type occurs when a wound that leads to the fractured site is present. It can also occur when the bone that is fractured juts out. Infection and external bleeding are likely complications that can result from this type of fracture.
Closed or simple fracture – this kind occurs when the bone that is broken does not pierce the skin.
Comminuted fracture – this type will take a long time to heal. The long healing period necessary can be attributed to the fractured bone shattering into small pieces.
Greenstick fracture – this type is often characterized by a slender and small crack. This kind of fracture is also very common among children.
Compression fracture – this fracture type occurs when two bones are forced against each other. The bones of the spine (vertebrae) are more prone to this type of injury. Old people with osteoporosis are also likely candidates.
Hairline fracture – this kind occurs in the foot and the lower leg. Hairline fractures often result from repeated stress and strain from activities like running or jogging.
Complicated fracture – When the injury also affects the surrounding structures of the bone, the condition is called complicated fracture. In most cases, there might be likely damage to the arteries, veins, or the nerves. Injury to the bone’s lining (periosteum) may also occur.
Avulsion fracture – this type often occurs in the knee and the shoulder joints. Avulsion fractures occur when pieces of the bone get pulled out and the muscle contractions wrench the tendon.

However, not all fractures occur only in the legs, arms, wrist, or hips.

Pelvis, chest, head, and spine traumas can also result to fractures in the skull and ribs.

Since these types of injuries are considered life-threatening, first aid treatments alone will not be enough.

Seeking immediate medical attention will be recommended.

Treatment

Diagnosing bone fractures are done using X-rays.

In other cases, computer tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be recommended.

While broken bones will often heal on their own, medical treatment is sometimes necessary to help ensure all the pieces are properly lined up.

In cases that are complicated, surgery, surgical traction, or both might be necessary.

It is also vital that the bone recovers full sensitivity, strength, and movement.

Treatment options for fractures will often depend on severity.

Some of the likely options include:

Splints
Braces
Traction
Plaster casts
Pain relief
Surgically inserted metal rods or plates

Without proper medical attention and management, fractures can worsen. Prevent that from happening by visiting www.bjios.sg right away.

Bone Fractures: Different Types