What is the difference between a fracture and a broken bone. How are various types of bone injuries classified. What treatment options are available for different fractures. How can you recognize signs of a bone fracture. When should you seek medical attention for a suspected bone injury.

The Truth About Fractures and Broken Bones

Many people wonder about the distinction between a fractured bone and a broken bone. Is there actually a difference? The simple answer is no – these terms refer to the same thing. A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone, regardless of the specific type or severity of the break.

Bone fractures can occur in various ways and take different forms. Some may be minor hairline cracks, while others involve the bone shattering into multiple pieces. Understanding the nature of bone fractures is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Are all bone fractures the same?

No, bone fractures can vary significantly in type and severity. Medical professionals classify fractures based on several factors, including:

• The location of the break
• The pattern of the fracture
• Whether the bone has broken through the skin
• The alignment of the broken bone pieces

Common Types of Bone Fractures Explained

Bone fractures are typically categorized into several main types. Understanding these classifications can help patients better comprehend their injury and the recommended treatment approach.

Closed vs. Open Fractures

A key distinction in fracture types is whether or not the broken bone has penetrated the skin:

• Closed fracture: The bone is broken but remains within the body, with no break in the skin.
• Open fracture: Also known as a compound fracture, this occurs when the broken bone pierces through the skin, creating an open wound.

Open fractures generally require more urgent and complex treatment due to the risk of infection and potential complications.

Displaced vs. Non-Displaced Fractures

Another important classification relates to the alignment of the broken bone pieces:

• Non-displaced fracture: The broken pieces of bone remain properly aligned.
• Displaced fracture: The bone fragments have moved out of their normal position.

Displaced fractures often require more intensive treatment to realign the bone pieces and ensure proper healing.

Specific Fracture Patterns and Their Implications

Beyond the broad categories, fractures are further classified based on the specific pattern of the break. Each type can have different implications for treatment and recovery:

1. Transverse fracture: A clean break across the bone, perpendicular to its long axis.
2. Oblique fracture: The break occurs at an angle across the bone.
3. Spiral fracture: The break spirals around the bone, often resulting from a twisting force.
4. Comminuted fracture: The bone shatters into three or more pieces.
5. Greenstick fracture: Common in children, where the bone bends and partially breaks.

How do different fracture patterns affect treatment?

The specific fracture pattern can significantly influence the treatment approach. For instance, a simple transverse fracture may be easier to align and stabilize than a comminuted fracture with multiple bone fragments. Greenstick fractures, being incomplete breaks, may require different management strategies compared to complete fractures in adults.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of a Bone Fracture

Identifying a potential bone fracture is crucial for seeking timely medical attention. While symptoms can vary depending on the location and severity of the fracture, common signs include:

• Intense pain at the site of injury
• Swelling and bruising
• Deformity or visible misalignment of the affected area
• Difficulty moving or using the injured body part
• Grinding or crunching sensation when attempting to move
• In case of open fractures, visible bone or bleeding

Can you have a fracture without experiencing severe pain?

While most fractures cause significant pain, it’s possible to have a fracture with minimal discomfort, especially in cases of stress fractures or certain types of wrist or ankle fractures. Any persistent pain or limitation in function following an injury should be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out a fracture.

Diagnostic Procedures for Suspected Bone Fractures

When a fracture is suspected, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic tools to confirm the presence and extent of the injury:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will assess the injured area for signs of fracture.
2. X-rays: The most common imaging technique used to visualize bone fractures.
3. CT (Computed Tomography) scans: Provide detailed 3D images, especially useful for complex fractures.
4. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Can detect subtle fractures not visible on X-rays, particularly in bones with complex structures.
5. Bone scans: May be used to detect stress fractures or other injuries not apparent on X-rays.

Why might a doctor order multiple imaging tests?

In some cases, a single imaging technique may not provide all the necessary information. For instance, a hairline fracture might not be visible on a standard X-ray but could be detected through an MRI or bone scan. Complex fractures may require CT scans to fully understand the extent of the injury and plan appropriate treatment.

Treatment Options for Bone Fractures

The treatment approach for a bone fracture depends on various factors, including the type and location of the fracture, the patient’s age and overall health, and the presence of any complications. Common treatment options include:

Immobilization

Many fractures can be treated by immobilizing the affected area to allow the bone to heal naturally. This may involve:

• Casts: Rigid external supports that hold the bone in place
• Splints: Less rigid supports used for certain types of fractures or as a temporary measure
• Braces: Can provide support while allowing some movement

Closed Reduction

For displaced fractures, a closed reduction procedure may be necessary. This involves manipulating the bone fragments back into proper alignment without making an incision. The procedure is typically followed by immobilization with a cast or splint.

Surgical Interventions

More complex fractures may require surgical treatment, which can include:

• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Surgery to realign bone fragments and secure them with screws, plates, or rods.
• External fixation: The use of external frames to hold bone fragments in place, often used for severe open fractures.
• Intramedullary nailing: Insertion of a rod through the center of the bone to stabilize the fracture.

How is the appropriate treatment method determined?

The choice of treatment depends on several factors:

• The specific type and location of the fracture
• The degree of displacement or angulation
• The patient’s age, overall health, and activity level
• The presence of any associated soft tissue injuries
• The potential for complications

Orthopedic specialists consider these factors to develop a personalized treatment plan aimed at promoting optimal healing and restoring function.

Recovery and Rehabilitation After a Bone Fracture

The healing process following a bone fracture can be lengthy and requires patience and dedication. Key aspects of recovery include:

1. Initial healing: The formation of a callus around the fracture site, typically occurring within the first few weeks.
2. Bone remodeling: The process of reshaping and strengthening the healed bone, which can continue for months or even years.
3. Physical therapy: Exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and function to the affected area.
4. Pain management: Techniques to control discomfort during the healing process.
5. Nutritional support: Ensuring adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients essential for bone healing.

What factors can influence the speed of fracture healing?

Several factors can affect how quickly a fracture heals:

• Age: Younger individuals generally heal faster than older adults
• Overall health: Certain medical conditions can slow healing
• Nutrition: Proper nutrient intake supports bone healing
• Smoking: Tobacco use can significantly delay fracture healing
• Severity of the fracture: More complex fractures may take longer to heal
• Compliance with treatment: Following medical advice and rehabilitation protocols is crucial

Potential Complications of Bone Fractures

While most fractures heal without significant issues, complications can occur. Being aware of potential problems can help patients seek prompt medical attention if needed. Possible complications include:

• Malunion: The bone heals in an incorrect position
• Nonunion: The fracture fails to heal properly
• Infection: Particularly a risk with open fractures
• Compartment syndrome: Swelling that can compromise blood flow to the affected limb
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Joint damage resulting from the fracture
• Nerve or blood vessel damage: Injury to surrounding tissues during the initial trauma or treatment

How can the risk of fracture complications be minimized?

To reduce the risk of complications:

• Follow medical advice and treatment plans carefully
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Report any unusual symptoms promptly
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to support bone healing
• Participate actively in prescribed rehabilitation programs

Early recognition and management of complications can significantly improve outcomes.

Preventing Bone Fractures: Strategies for Bone Health

While not all fractures can be prevented, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their risk:

1. Maintain a balanced diet: Ensure adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and other bone-supporting nutrients.
2. Exercise regularly: Weight-bearing and resistance exercises help strengthen bones.
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both can negatively impact bone density.
4. Use proper safety equipment: Wear appropriate protective gear during sports and other physical activities.
5. Create a safe home environment: Remove tripping hazards and ensure good lighting to prevent falls.
6. Get regular check-ups: Discuss bone health with your healthcare provider, especially if you have risk factors for osteoporosis.

Can certain medications affect bone strength?

Yes, some medications can impact bone density and increase fracture risk. These include:

• Long-term corticosteroids
• Certain anticonvulsants
• Some cancer treatments
• Proton pump inhibitors used for acid reflux

If you’re taking any of these medications, discuss potential bone health implications with your healthcare provider. They may recommend additional monitoring or preventive measures.

Understanding the nature of bone fractures, their treatment options, and prevention strategies is crucial for maintaining overall bone health. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, individuals can reduce their risk of fractures and ensure better outcomes if injuries do occur. Remember, any suspected bone injury should be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the appropriate course of action and promote optimal healing.

What Is the Difference Between a Fracture and a Broken Bone? By Jesse Morse-Brady, FNP-BC

A Fracture = A Broken Bone

The quick answer to this question is that they are the same! A “fracture” refers to a “break” in the bone, which can take many forms. There are numerous different types of fractures, with various different treatments. Some bone injuries are able to heal on their own, some require casting or splinting, and some even require surgery.

Common Types of Fractures

Closed vs. Open Fractures: A “closed fracture” is one in which the bone has broken but has not penetrated the skin.  An “open fracture” involves a portion of the broken bone being exposed outside of the skin.  Open fractures are much less common than closed fractures, and often involve surgical treatment to realign the broken pieces of bone and clean the wound to reduce the risk of infection.

Displaced vs. Non-Displaced Fractures: A “displaced fracture” is one in which the bone has broken and the pieces of bone have moved in relation to one another.  This may require treatment to realign the broken pieces, based upon how much movement has occurred.  A “non-displaced fracture” is one in which the bone has broken, but the pieces have not moved.  Many people may have heard of this referred to as a “hairline fracture.”  Non-displaced fractures can often be treated by keeping the affected area immobilized with a splint or brace, but sometimes require further treatment.

Types of Fracture Treatment

Immobilization: Many fractures are able to be treated by keeping the affected bone or joint still with a brace, splint, or cast while the bone heals.

Closed Reduction: If the broken pieces of bone have moved in a way that is not conducive to healing, they can sometimes be put back into place with a “closed reduction” procedure.   This involves manipulating the broken pieces of bone back into proper alignment, and usually applying a cast to keep the fracture properly “lined up.”

Percutaneous Pinning: Some fractures cause bone pieces to move into configurations that cannot easily stay in place if they are lined up.  If this should occur, a surgeon may recommend “pinning” them back into place using surgical instruments.  A pinning procedure utilizes pins that are placed through the skin to secure the bone fragments in place. The pins are removed once the fracture has healed.

Open Reduction with Internal Fixation: For fractures in which the bone pieces have moved significantly, surgery is sometimes required.  When this occurs, an incision is made in the skin near the fracture site, and the pieces are placed back together before being “fixed” in place with screws, surgical plates, or other materials.

If You or Someone You Know Has a Fracture

Fremont Orthopaedics is here to help patients through the course of fracture care, from the time of injury until the fracture is healed.   For any additional questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call (307) 332-9720.

This document contains general guidelines and is not a substitute to your provider’s instructions or an alternative to seeking appropriate medical care or follow-up appointments. For questions or concerns, seek professional medical attention. For medical emergencies, call 911.

Bone Break vs. Fracture | Sports-health

It may come as a surprise, but a broken bone and a fractured bone are the same thing. A fracture occurs when an outside force is too great for a bone to handle. Although generally rigid, bones can weaken over time and become more susceptible to fracturing.

Fractures may occur lengthwise, crosswise, or in multiple pieces. Similarly, the underlying causes of bone breaks varies.

This page will describe different types of fractures, how they occur, and how they are treated.

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Different Types of Bone Fractures

Fractures are classified by how the bone breaks. The most common fractures are:

The most common fractures are illustrated here along the femur. Fractures may occur lengthwise, crosswise and sometimes in multiple pieces.

• Compound (open) fracture. The bone may pierce the skin at the time of the fracture.
• Transverse fracture. When the bone breaks in a horizontal line.
• Oblique fracture. When the bone has a diagonal or angled break.
• Comminuted fracture. This means the bone has been shattered into 3 or more pieces.
• Greenstick fracture. When the bone bends and cracks but does not fully break. This is commonly seen in children because their bones are softer and more flexible than adults.

A fracture may be further classified by whether or not the broken pieces of bone are aligned:

• Non-displaced fracture. When the broken parts of the bone are aligned.
• Displaced fracture. When the broken parts of the bone are not aligned.

In addition, a fracture may be labeled stable or unstable. These clinical terms refer to whether the bone pieces can be easily disturbed and moved out of place. When a fracture is labeled unstable, it means that the two pieces of bone that are broken will not be able to withstand normal weight-bearing or natural physiologic forces.

The type and severity of a fracture will influence the treatment plan.

In This Article:

• Bone Break vs. Fracture

• Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment for Bone Fractures

What Causes a Bone Fracture?

A bone fracture typically occurs for one of 3 reasons.

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A fracture can occur for more than one reason (for example, weakened bone and outside force).

Dr. Emmanuel Konstantakos is an orthopedic surgeon with MercyHealth Orthopedic Specialists, where he specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and general orthopedics. Dr. Konstantakos has authored numerous research articles published in academic journals.

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What to do if you break your arm? – useful articles from specialists

Neither adults nor children are immune from bruises, abrasions, dislocations and even fractures. The causes of injury can be excessive physical exertion, an accidental fall, a blow with a heavy object, an accident, and so on. If trouble has happened to you or your loved ones, there is a suspicion of a fracture, the first step is to determine the severity of the injury. You can’t do without the help of the medical staff. Any self-diagnosis is fraught with serious consequences.

Depending on the type of damage to the hand, there are two types of fracture:

• Open – there is a rupture of tissues, skin, there is bleeding.
• Closed – no bleeding, the skin remains intact.

When the integrity of one bone is broken, we are dealing with an isolated fracture. If there is a fracture of several bones, then we are talking about a multiple fracture.

Depending on the complexity of the injury, the absence or presence of displacement, the signs of a fracture of the hand may vary significantly. However, the presence of a fracture can be determined by specific signs.

Among its main clinical manifestations are:

• severe pain;
• hemorrhage;
• swelling, edema at the site of injury;
• crunching of bone fragments;
• deformation of the injured area;
• excessive mobility of the injured part of the arm or inability to move it;
• fever;
• pale skin;
• nausea, dizziness;
• coldness of the extremity.

If you have the above symptoms, be sure to call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room. An x-ray will help clarify the diagnosis. Having studied the picture, the doctor will be able to determine the nature of the injury, the presence of bone fragments, the integrity of the joint.

What should I do if I break my arm?

When an injury is accompanied by bleeding, first aid is needed on the spot. Any delay can lead to terrible results. Therefore, first of all, you should stop the bleeding, and then deal with the fracture. How to do it? Wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide, apply a gauze bandage to the damaged surface. In the presence of severe bleeding, it is imperative to apply a tourniquet (in winter for half an hour, in summer for 2 hours). Important to know: if the blood is brightly colored and flows out intensively, you are dealing with an injury to the arterial vessels. The tourniquet must be applied above the fracture. In the event that the blood is thick and dark, you have a vein injury. A tourniquet is applied below the injured area.

If there is a suspicion of a dislocation, in no case should you try to set it yourself. Such work can only be entrusted to an experienced doctor.

If you decide to transport the victim to the nearest hospital, be sure to follow the rules for transporting a broken limb. We are talking about the correct fixation of the hand, with the help of sticks, fabric, cardboard – everything that can play the role of a tire.

Don’t forget to remove bracelets and rings from your arm, because jewelry interferes with natural circulation, and after swelling of the limbs, they will have to be removed using special tools.

Never do this if someone has a broken arm:

• Do not try to return the injured limb to its normal position.
• Do not transport an injured person without securing the injured arm.
• Do not try to get painkillers to drink or ointments to be applied to the bruised area. A sedative can be given when the victim is in a state of stress, shock.
• Do not splint unless you have an idea of ​​how to do it correctly. Better call an ambulance.
• Don’t be idle! Even in the presence of a slight swelling of the tissues, an x-ray should be taken and a full consultation with a traumatologist should be obtained.

Violating such prohibitions, you run the risk of significantly worsening the condition of the victim.

And most importantly, forget about any self-treatment. Practice shows that the slightest deformation, minimal displacement entails shortening of the arm and other complications.

The subsequent treatment and recovery depend on how professionally first aid is provided for a fractured limb.

How to recognize a broken arm and what to do next

Likbez

Health

May 13, 2021

In a few weeks, the injury will be gone if you take care of yourself.

You can listen to the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

What is an arm fracture

An arm fracture is a crack or fracture in any of the three bones that make up the upper limb: the humerus, radius, or ulna.

Image: solar22/Shutterstock

This is a common injury that most often occurs when falling onto an outstretched arm. In most cases, the bone can be successfully restored with a cast or splint. But there are also more serious situations that require surgical intervention.

At the slightest suspicion of a fracture, you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room or emergency room. Don’t waste time. It is important.

How to tell if it’s a broken arm

The arm usually breaks with a characteristic click or crack. Such a soundtrack may be the first sign of a fracture. But there will definitely be others:

• Severe pain, which becomes more noticeable when moving. Because of this, a person cannot use his hand.
• Numbness of the limb.
• Restricted mobility. If you place your hand palm up, it will not be possible to turn it palm down in a normal twisting motion.
• Noticeable swelling in the area of ​​the alleged fracture. Puffiness may not occur immediately, but increase over several hours.
• Bruises, subcutaneous hemorrhages.
• Visible hand deformity. For example, it may be curved in an unnatural way.

To suspect a fracture, it is enough that one or two symptoms occur immediately after a blow or fall.

Why you need to seek help as soon as possible

Fractures heal well if treated as soon as possible. But if you decide to play for time, serious complications can develop. Including deadly ones.

• Stopping bone growth in children. In childhood, the limbs are still lengthened. This happens due to the growth zones, which are located along the edges of each bone. If the fracture has affected this particular area, the lengthening may stop. And this will lead to the fact that by adulthood one arm will become shorter than the other.
• Osteoarthritis. Fractures that affect the joint, years later, can lead to its inflammation – arthritis.
• Stiffness of movement. Incorrectly fused bone often leads to limited mobility of the hand.
• Bone infection. With an open fracture, when the bone breaks through the skin and comes out, it can be attacked by microbes that can cause infection. This is dangerous because it can lead to bone destruction and blood poisoning.
• Damage to nerves or blood vessels. If sharp fragments form on the bone during an injury (this is the so-called comminuted fracture), they can break nearby blood vessels or nerve endings. This can be seen by numbness, swelling and the appearance of hematomas. If you do not quickly see a doctor, the hand may permanently lose mobility.
• Compartmental syndrome. Due to excessive swelling, blood circulation in the arm can also stop. That is, tissues, including muscle and bone, will begin to die. Compartment syndrome usually appears 1–2 days after injury. The beginning of the process can be seen by pain and severe numbness in the affected arm. This disorder is a medical emergency and requires the immediate attention of a surgeon.

How to treat a broken arm

First, you will have an x-ray to find out what condition the bone is in.

If the fracture is confirmed, the surgeon will place a cast or splint on the affected limb. This is important to give the bones a chance to recover. To reduce pain, your doctor will suggest you an analgesic drug and muscle relaxant drugs that relieve muscle spasm.

If the swelling is very large, the arm will be covered with a temporary bandage. A plaster will be applied after a few days, when the swelling subsides.