Common symptoms of trauma and fractures
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Restricted movement
- Possible deformity
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Overuse
Trauma and fractures can be caused by repetitive force and overuse, such as continuously jumping up and down or running long distances. These are commonly referred to as “stress fractures”.
Osteoporosis
Declining bone density especially in post-menopausal females makes bones weaker and more likely to fracture from relatively minor trauma. Most osteoporosis-related fractures tend to occur in the hip, wrist, shoulder, and spine.
Accidents and injuries
Any impact/trauma like fall, vehicle accident, or sports injury can all place severe pressure on your bone, causing it to fracture (break).
Diagnosis of fractures
At your initial appointment, your doctor will carefully examine the extent of your injury as well as your overall condition. You’ll discuss how the injury occurred along with your current symptoms and medical history.
Next, your doctor will take a variety of X-rays to get a better view of the trauma and fracture. Other types of imaging may be administered, such as arthrograms (X-rays of the joints), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Your doctor will select an imaging option based on the severity and location of the fracture and the extent of damage to surrounding tissue. The results of your images and X-rays will provide the data your doctor needs to diagnose your trauma and fracture.
Steps to diagnosis
- Physical exam
- Discussion
- Imaging
What are my options?
Non-Surgical
Non- or minimally displaced fractures do not require surgery. Non-surgical fracture care involves immobilization such as a cast, splint, sling, or brace, and sometimes physical therapy. Our specialists will work closely with you to select a tailored treatment plan that ensures the best outcome.
Surgical
Surgery may be recommended based on the fracture pattern and location. Surgical fracture care involves either open (with incision) or percutaneous fixation and realignment of the bone for proper healing. There are many options for surgical fracture fixation such as plates and screws, wires, intramedullary implants and external implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a broken bone and a fracture?
They are the same thing. Fracture is the medical term for broken bone. Pediatric (kids) patients may have a bent rather than a broken bone, but this does not occur in adults.
How long will my fracture take to heal?
Fractures require 6 to 12 weeks for full bone healing. Sometimes fractures may not heal (nonunion), or heal incorrectly (malunion). Physical therapy may be required to regain full motion and function.
