Bone Fracture -Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Introduction:

A break in the continuity of a bone is known as a bone fracture. Bone fractures occur primarily due to a high-force impact or stress. But, a fracture may also occur due to medical conditions like osteoporosis and some types of cancer as they weaken the bones. It is also called a pathological fracture. This article explains the different types of bone fractures, their causes, and the treatments available in detail.

What Are the Types of Bone Fracture?

Bone fractures are of different types, and they are classified based on many factors such as the extent of break, cause of fracture, orientation of break, etc. They are:

• Avulsion Fracture: The muscle pulls the bone, fracturing it.

• Comminuted Fracture: A heavy force shatters the bone into pieces.

• Compression or Crush Fracture: Occurs generally in the spongy bone in the spine and may occur due to collapse in osteoporosis.

• Fracture Dislocation: When the joint dislocates, one of those joint bones fractures.

• Greenstick Fracture: One side of the bone partly gets fractured, but it is not entirely broken because the rest of the bone can bend.

• Hairline Fracture: It is a thin, partial bone fracture.

• Impacted Fracture: At bone fractures, a piece of the bone gets impacted on another bone.

• Longitudinal Fracture: When the fracture is along the length of the bone, it is called a longitudinal fracture.

• Oblique Fracture: This fracture occurs opposite to the long axis of the bone.

• Pathological Fracture: When an underlying condition weakens the bone, it results in a pathological fracture.

• Spiral Fracture: One part of the bone starts to twist during a break.

• Stress Fracture: It occurs due to repeated stress and strain, which is more common in athletes.

• Transverse Fracture: Across the bone, when there is a straight break, a transverse fracture occurs.

What Is the Difference Between Fracture and Break?

Bone fractures and broken bones are the same injury. These terms may be interchanged. A fractured bone, in medical terms, is called a broken bone.

What Are the Causes of Bone Fracture?

The skeletal system acts as the structure of the human body and holds the muscles and tissues together. Hence, all the bones are very hard and tend to withstand powerful impacts. But if the force increases, or if the impact is very sudden, it might lead to a crack or breaking of the bone.

Some of the significant causes of bone fracture that are observed are:

• Physical accidents or trauma.

• Overuse of the bone.

• Medical conditions that affect the bones, such as osteoporosis.

Several other factors account for a bone fracture, and it differs from one person to another. Generally speaking, the bones become weaker as one age, so the chance of getting affected by any medical condition that affects the bones is higher. So, people above the age of 45 have an increased risk of getting bone fractures compared to younger adults.

What Are the Symptoms of Bone Fracture?

The symptoms of bone fracture vary from one person to another, and they are based on several factors such as age, location, the severity of pain, etc. Some of the common symptoms of a bone fracture include:

• Swelling.

• Pain.

• Inability to move the affected part.

• Bruising.

• Discoloration of the skin in the affected site.

• Not able to put weight on the area.

• Protrusion of the bone in the affected area.

• A rough sensation of the bone or joint in the affected area.

• In the case of an open fracture, bleeding is observed.

When the fracture is very severe, the symptoms experienced include:

• Lightheadedness.

• Dizziness.

• Nausea.

• Fainting.

How Is a Bone Fracture Diagnosed?

The doctor will check for swelling and bruising if the patient experiences any symptoms after an accident. Suppose the person has not been involved in any accidents or trauma; in that case, the doctor will check the patient’s medical history to know about any other underlying condition that might have weakened the bones.

In most cases, an X-ray is taken on the affected part to confirm a bone fracture. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scan are also preferred to have a complete assessment of the fracture.

How Is a Bone Fracture Treated?

A bone fracture will heal on its own, and this healing process is natural. Treating bone fractures should mainly focus on having an appropriate circumstance that helps in the natural healing process. Care should also be taken to ensure the proper functioning of the bones in the future.

Though the healing process is natural, the doctor helps to reduce the fracture. This is done by aligning and lining the broken bones. In the case of minor fractures, the doctor will do this by external manipulation, but in the case of a severe fracture, this is done by surgery only.

Once the bones are aligned, ensure that it stays in place. This is done through different methods, such as:

• Cast.

• Braces.

• External fixings.

• Metal plates and screws.

• Intramedullary nails or rods.

The time taken for the fracture to heal can range between several weeks to months, based on the severity. Certain factors affect the rate of healing, such as:

• Person’s age.

• High body mass index.

• Smoking.

• Alcohol abuse.

• Usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The healing rate also depends on the type of fractured bone and the presence of any complications such as blood clots, infection, or nerve damage around the area.

Though the fracture has healed, it is essential to restore the muscle strength and movement of the joints in the affected area. This is done with the help of physical therapy.

What Are the Complications of Bone Fracture?

In most cases, the bones heal well with appropriate treatment. But in rare cases, there are some possibilities of complications, such as:

• Disruption of Bone Growth - When the healing process gets disrupted, it might lead to abnormal development of the bone. This has a considerable risk of permanent bone deformity.

• Bone Healing in the Wrong Position - The bones might get disturbed and move out of alignment during the healing process. This might lead to the healing of bones at a different site rather than the fractured site.

• Bone or Bone Marrow Infection - In a compound fracture, there is a chance of bacterial entry through the skin. This leads to bone or bone marrow infection, which might become persistent.

• Bone Death - If the vessels supplying blood to the bones get damaged and the blood supply becomes very low, it might lead to bone death.

How Long Will It Take for a Bone Fracture to Heal?

The healing of a bone fracture depends on some factors, such as:

• The fracture the bone has undergone.

• Mode of treatment for the fracture.

• Presence of any other injury.

Depending on the mode of treatment, such as immobilization or surgery, the person can start moving in a few weeks.

Can Bone Fracture Cause Fever?

Bone fracture does not result in fever. However, if the area around the fractured bone feels warm, then the person should immediately consult a doctor. This can be the initial stage of serious infection, which requires consultation with the doctor.

Conclusion

Bone fracture is a very common injury that can affect people of any age. It is usually caused by trauma, falls, accidents, or sports. Certain medical conditions or repeated force over the same area can also increase the risk of fracture. A fractured bone is treatable. Do not rush the recovery process, give proper time for the bone to heal completely.