What is a Bone Fracture?
There are two main ways in which a bone can break. A closed fracture means the bone has broken but has not torn through the skin or damaged surrounding tissues. A compound fracture, on the other hand, does penetrate the skin and cause damage.
Other types of bone fractures include:
- Transverse fracture. A straight break across the bone, often from a direct blow.
- Oblique fracture. An angled break, usually caused by a sharp, angled force.
- Spiral fracture. Twisting force causes the break to spiral around the bone; common in sports injuries.
- Comminuted fracture. The bone shatters into three or more pieces, often due to high-impact trauma.
- Greenstick fracture. Incomplete break where one side bends and is mostly seen in children.
- Stress fracture. Small cracks in the bone due to repetitive stress and is common in runners.
- Compression fracture. The bone is crushed. This is often seen in the spine and linked to osteoporosis.
Causes
Bone fractures are typically caused by the following:
- Trauma or injury. This is the most common cause. Falls, car accidents, and sports injuries can result in force that exceeds the bone’s strength.
- Overuse or repetitive motion. This leads to stress fractures, which are often seen in athletes and military recruits due to repetitive impact.
- Medical conditions. Diseases like cancer, bone infections, and osteoporosis can weaken bones.
Treatment
Treatment for bone fractures depends on the type, location, and severity of the break. Common treatments include:
- Immobilization. Most fractures are treated with a cast, brace, or splint to keep the bone in place while it heals.
- Reduction. If the bone is displaced, a doctor may need to manually realign it or perform surgery.
- Surgery. Severe fractures may require internal fixation with metal rods, screws, or plates to stabilize the bone.
- Pain management. Medications help control pain and reduce inflammation.
- Physical therapy. After healing, rehabilitation can help restore strength, mobility, and function.
- Rest and elevation. Keeping the injured area elevated reduces swelling and speeds healing, especially in limb fractures.
Healing can take several weeks to several months. This can depend on factors such as a person’s age and weight, as well as alcohol and tobacco use.
Contact Us Today
Broken bones can be painful and take a long time to heal. They can also affect daily living and make it hard to move and work.
An Omaha personal injury attorney from Andres Law Offices, PC LLO, understands the complexities of broken bones. We know they can be very expensive to treat and you should not have to pay for these costs if someone else was at fault for an accident. To schedule a consultation, call (402) 491-4003 or fill out the online form.