A bone fracture is a full or partial break in the continuity of bone tissue. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body. There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture. For example, a closed fracture is a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin. By contrast, a compound fracture is one that damages surrounding tissue and penetrates the skin. Compound fractures are generally more serious than simple fractures due to the risk of infection.

What are the types of bone fractures?

There are different types of fractures that bones may infect including the following :

Nonsurgical Treatment : A muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it.

Comminuted fracture : An impact shatters the bone into many pieces.

Compression, or crush, fracture : This generally occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the spine may collapse due to osteoporosis.

Fracture dislocation : This occurs when a joint dislocates, and one of the bones of the joint fractures.

Greenstick fracture : The bone partly fractures on one side but does not break completely, because the rest of the bone can bend.

Hairline fracture : This is a thin, partial fracture of the bone.

Impacted fracture : When a bone fractures, a piece of the bone may impact another bone.

Intra-articular fracture : This occurs when a fracture extends into the surface of a joint.

Longitudinal fracture : This is when the fracture extends along the length of the bone.

Oblique fracture : An oblique fracture is one that occurs opposite to a bone’s long axis.

Pathological fracture :This occurs when an underlying condition weakens the bone and causes a fracture.

Spiral fracture : Here, at least one part of the bone twists during a break.

Stress fracture : Repeated stress and strain can fracture a bone.

Transverse fracture : This is a straight break across the bone.

What are the causes of bone fractures?

The most important causes of bone fractures include :

Traumatic injuries : Falling or being hit hard in car accidents, sports accidents, or interference with activities, such as football, can cause broken bones.

Osteoporosis : Low bone density and deterioration as a result of osteoporosis is a major factor that makes bones more susceptible to fractures.

Excess stress : Bones can be exposed to fractures due to excessive stress to which the body is repeatedly exposed, whether as a result of repetitive sports activities, or repetitive movements in daily life. This is known as stress fractures and is common among athletes.

These are the most common causes of fractures, and the severity of fractures can vary depending on the type of injury and its place in the body, but immediately going to the doctor and getting appropriate treatment is important in successfully managing fractures and enhancing the recovery process.

The Symptoms

The most important symptoms of bone fractures include the following :

A limb or joint is out of its normal place : The affected limb or joint may change position abnormally due to the fracture.

The presence of swelling, bruising, or bleeding : Swollen areas may appear around the fracture site. These areas may be painful, and bruises may form or bleeding may occur under the skin.

Feeling sharp pain : The pain is felt sharp at the site of the fracture, and is accompanied by a feeling of tingling and numbness.

Bone protrusion : In the case of open fractures, there may be a break in the skin that reveals bone protruding through it.

Limited movement : Or the inability to put weight on the leg, as the broken part of the body usually becomes unable to move normally, and it can be difficult for the injured person to put weight on the broken limb.

Complications

While bone fractures typically heal well with appropriate treatment, there can be complications, such as :

Bone healing in the wrong position :This occurs when the fracture is fixed inaccurately, or the broken site slips while it heals.

Bone growth disorder : A fracture can affect childhood bone growth during the healing process, affecting normal bone growth, and causing future abnormalities in bone form and function.

Bone or bone marrow infection : This happens in the case of compound fractures or when there is a break in the skin near the site of the fracture. Bacteria can infiltrate the bones or bone marrow and cause a serious infection.

Bone death : In rare cases, blood flow to part of the bone may stop, leading to the death of the bone in that area. This is known as avascular necrosis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Fracture is diagnosed by performing the following tests:

X-Ray Examination :
It is the most popular scan doctors use to detect a fracture, as it shows the bone in a two-dimensional image.

Bone Imaging Examination :
The doctor performs this examination to look at the bones that the X-ray examination cannot reach.

Computed Tomography :
A computer and X-rays are used to find out the smallest details about the bones.

MRI Scan :
This examination detects very fine bone details, and is often used to diagnose stress fractures.

The treatment method used varies depending on the place and severity of the fracture, as follows:

Treatment using splints and braces :
Treatment is usually done through the use of splints and braces. The difference between them is that the splint prevents movement in one direction, while braces prevent bone movement in all directions and provide great protection.
Splints and braces both help immobilize the broken bone to help the bone heal. In the event of fractures of small bones, such as the fingers, braces are not used. The injury is wrapped and then a splint is placed directly on it.

Surgical Treatment :
In some cases of severe fractures, the doctor may schedule surgery, and the treatment may use screws, stainless steel plates and anchors, or frames that stabilize the bones.

Therefore, you should consult a highly experienced specialist doctor to determine the appropriate treatment for you. You should also make sure to follow doctors' instructions and take necessary precautions during the bone healing period to achieve optimal healing.