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Orthopedic Patient Information on Fractures

What is a fracture? A fracture is a break in a bone, or in other words a broken bone. Symptoms: The symptoms depend on the particular bone involved and the severity of the injury, which may include, discomfort, puffiness, discoloration, distortion and lack of ability to use the extremity. Causes of fractures: Fractures usually happen if you strike your bone or if you turn or twist in an abnormal position. This can happen as a cause of an accident or a crash. Fractures are more commonly seen in young children because they are more likely to fall or have an accident, mainly because they are less likely to be conscious of the risks.
Different types of fracture: Closed break- this is a fracture that doesn t penetrate the skin. Open break- this fracture penetrates the skin and may be visible or may draw back into the skin. Complex fractures- a closed fracture where the soft tissue around the bone is badly injured. Complicated breaks- this breaks can tear through blood vessels, a nerve or another joint. Impacted fracture- is a fracture where the ends of the break are shoved into each other. Greenstick fracture- this type of fracture is where bone has a small slim break and is commonly seen in children. Spiral fractures- normally seen in children, this fracture causes a deformity in the bone. Hairline fracture- fracture caused from stress on the bone, which causes a fine break in the bone. Fissure fracture- related to a hairline fracture with the exception that the fracture spreads from the exterior into, but not through a long bone. Comminuted fracture- this is where the bone is broken is several sections, also known as a fragmental fracture. Colles fracture- Is named after Abraham Colles, an Irish surgeon who first identified it; this is a fracture of the large bone in the forearm, with posterior displacement of the wrist and hand. Complete fracture- fracture that involves the whole segment of the bone. Incomplete fracture- this fracture line doesn t totally pass through the bone.

Oblique fracture- this fracture has an angle in its break. Butterfly- is a break in the bone, in which the middle portion is confined by two cracks that have made a triangle. Double fracture- a fracture where there are two breaks in the same bone. Segmental fracture- this is where the bone breaks into several large sections that detach from the main part of the broken bone. Compression fracture- disintegration of the vertebral column, due to trauma or weaken vertebral column. Unstable fracture- has a natural propensity to displace after reduction, and will require special therapy. Common places that fractures occur involve the wrist, ankle and hip. In general, fractures heal over about 6-8 weeks. The bone will eventually become stronger at the site of the break than in the surrounding bone. Fractures are often treated with a splint or a cast. The general care of a fracture includes the use of a medication to reduce pain, the use of a splint/cast to reduce movement and Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation of the injured area. Follow Up Instructions: It is very important that the patient schedule an appointment with their primary care physician for follow up care. If conditions doesn t improve or get worse please return to the emergency department.

References:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bone_fractures Retrieved January, 2012 http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/f/fractures Retrieved January, 2012 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com Copyright 2012 Farlex, Inc. Retrieved January, 2012

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=35393 MediLexicon International Ltd Bexhill-on-Sea, UK MediLexicon International Ltd 2004-2012 All rights reserved. Retrieved January, 2012 http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00139 Copyright 1995-2012 by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. All material on this website is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties. Retrieved January, 2012

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