Fractures Specialist

What are fractures?

Fractures are partial or complete breaks in a bone. Some of the many types of fractures include:

Stable fractures

With stable or nondisplaced fractures, the bone breaks but doesn’t move out of alignment. These simple fractures are the easiest to treat. If the fracture is displaced, it means the ends have moved and need realigning.

These fractures may be transverse, where the break goes from one side of the bone to the other, or oblique, where the line angles across the bone.

Compound fractures

If you can see the bone when you break it due to severe soft tissue damage, you have an open or compound fracture. These fractures are some of the most painful and distressing and carry an increased risk of infection.

Comminuted fractures

Comminuted fractures occur when bones break into three or more pieces. Crush injuries can shatter bones into multiple fragments.

Vertebral compression fractures

Vertebral compression fractures can result from trauma, but the most common reason is weakened bones due to osteoporosis. That disease makes you vulnerable to fractures all over your body. In your spine, the front of an affected vertebra can flatten, creating a wedge shape.

Stress fractures

Unlike other kinds of broken bones, stress fractures happen gradually due to overuse. They’re tiny cracks in the bone that build up over time until the affected area becomes chronically uncomfortable.

What symptoms do fractures cause?

Fractures are usually painful, especially a severe injury like a compound fracture. You might also have symptoms such as:

• Swelling
• Limited movement
• Heat in the area
• Bruising
• Inability to bear weight
• Visible abnormalities

The Martin Orthopedics team can usually diagnose fractures during a physical examination but are likely to order X-rays to see the damage in more detail.

How are fractures treated?

Treatment for fractures typically involves wearing a brace or cast and resting the injured area while it heals. However, the first step is to make sure the bones are correctly aligned and repair any tissue damage.

If you have a nondisplaced fracture, your provider at Martin Orthopedics can apply the brace or cast straight away, which is why they’re the easiest fractures to treat. With a displaced fracture, they might be able to realign the bones using manual manipulation, a procedure known as closed reduction.

If it isn’t possible to set the break this way, or you have a severe fracture that requires extensive reconstruction, you need to undergo surgery. Your provider puts the bones back into position and fixes them in place using screws, rods, and plates, then repairs the soft tissue damage.

If you sustain a fracture, you can be sure of receiving treatment that offers optimal results at Martin Orthopedics. Call the nearest office today or book an appointment online.