What are the different types of bone fractures. How do broken bones heal. What causes bone fractures and breaks. What are the risk factors for bone fractures. How long does it take for a broken bone to heal. What are the stages of pain during fracture healing.

Types of Bone Fractures: From Stress Cracks to Compound Breaks

Bone fractures come in various forms, each with unique characteristics that influence treatment approaches. Understanding these types can help patients and caregivers better navigate the recovery process.

• Stress fracture: A microscopic crack often resulting from repetitive force
• Stable fracture: A clean break where bone ends remain aligned
• Compound fracture: An open break where the bone pierces the skin
• Oblique fracture: An angled break that may displace the bone
• Transverse fracture: A horizontal break across the bone
• Comminuted fracture: A severe break where the bone shatters into multiple pieces

Each type of fracture requires a specific treatment approach. For instance, a stable fracture might only need a cast, while a compound fracture often requires surgical intervention to realign the bone and prevent infection.

Common Causes and Risk Factors for Bone Fractures

Bone fractures can occur due to various circumstances, with some groups being more susceptible than others. Understanding these causes and risk factors can help in prevention and early intervention.

Primary Causes of Bone Fractures

• Falls
• Sports injuries
• Vehicle accidents
• Repetitive stress

Children are particularly prone to fractures due to their active lifestyles and the presence of growth plates in their bones. These areas of developing tissue are weaker and more susceptible to injury.

As we age, our bones naturally become less dense and more brittle. This change puts older adults at an increased risk of fractures, especially those with conditions like osteoporosis.

Risk Factors for Bone Fractures

• Age (both young children and older adults)
• Participation in high-impact sports
• Low bone density or osteoporosis
• Poor nutrition, particularly low calcium and vitamin D intake
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders)
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take preventive measures, such as maintaining a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in weight-bearing exercises, and taking precautions during high-risk activities.

The Healing Process: Stages of Bone Repair

The journey of bone healing is a complex process that unfolds in several stages. Each phase plays a crucial role in restoring the bone’s strength and function.

Stage 1: Inflammation

Immediately after a fracture occurs, the body initiates an inflammatory response. Blood vessels dilate, bringing essential cells to the injury site. This stage typically lasts for the first few days after the injury.

Stage 2: Soft Callus Formation

Within about a week, cells called fibroblasts begin producing collagen fibers that span the fracture site. This creates a soft callus, providing some stability to the broken bone.

Stage 3: Hard Callus Formation

Over the next few weeks, osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) replace the soft callus with a harder, more mineralized callus. This stage can last several months, depending on the severity of the fracture.

Stage 4: Bone Remodeling

In the final stage, which can last for years, the bone gradually reshapes itself to its original form. Excess bone formed during healing is reabsorbed, and the bone’s internal structure is optimized for strength.

Pain Management Throughout the Healing Process

Pain is an inevitable part of bone fractures, but it changes in character and intensity as healing progresses. Understanding these pain stages can help patients and healthcare providers manage discomfort more effectively.

Acute Pain

Acute pain occurs immediately after the injury and is typically the most intense. It’s often described as sharp or throbbing and may be accompanied by swelling and bruising. This stage usually lasts for the first week or two after the fracture.

Subacute Pain

As the initial inflammation subsides and healing begins, pain transitions to a subacute phase. This pain is generally less intense but may persist for several weeks as the bone and surrounding tissues heal.

Chronic Pain

In some cases, pain may persist long after the fracture has healed. This chronic pain can be due to complications such as improper healing, nerve damage, or the development of arthritis in the affected joint.

Effective pain management strategies may include:

• Prescribed pain medications
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs
• Ice and heat therapy
• Physical therapy and gentle exercises
• Elevation and rest of the affected limb

Complications and Long-Term Effects of Bone Fractures

While most fractures heal without significant issues, complications can arise, potentially leading to long-term effects on a person’s health and mobility.

Potential Complications

• Malunion: Improper alignment of the bone during healing
• Delayed union or nonunion: Slow or incomplete healing of the fracture
• Infection: Particularly in compound fractures where the skin is broken
• Compartment syndrome: Dangerous increase in pressure within muscle compartments
• Avascular necrosis: Death of bone tissue due to disrupted blood supply

Long-Term Effects

One of the most significant long-term concerns following a fracture is the increased risk of arthritis. If a bone isn’t perfectly realigned or repaired, it can lead to uneven wear on nearby joints, potentially causing arthritis to develop years after the initial injury.

Other long-term effects may include:

• Chronic pain
• Limited range of motion
• Muscle weakness or atrophy
• Increased risk of future fractures in the same area

Regular follow-up care and adherence to rehabilitation programs can help mitigate these risks and improve long-term outcomes.

Prevention Strategies: Reducing the Risk of Bone Fractures

While not all fractures are preventable, there are numerous strategies individuals can employ to reduce their risk of experiencing a broken bone.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises to strengthen bones and muscles
• Maintaining a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
• Practicing good posture and body mechanics

Environmental Safety

• Removing tripping hazards in the home
• Installing handrails and non-slip mats in bathrooms
• Ensuring adequate lighting in all areas
• Using appropriate safety gear during sports and high-risk activities

Regular Health Check-ups

Regular bone density scans, especially for those at higher risk of osteoporosis, can help identify potential issues before a fracture occurs. Early intervention with medications or lifestyle changes can significantly reduce fracture risk.

Innovations in Fracture Treatment and Bone Healing

As medical science advances, new technologies and techniques are emerging to improve fracture treatment and accelerate bone healing.

Advanced Imaging Techniques

High-resolution CT scans and 3D printing technology allow surgeons to create detailed models of fractures, aiding in surgical planning and improving outcomes.

Bioengineered Materials

Researchers are developing new biocompatible materials that can be used in place of traditional metal implants. These materials may promote faster healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Stem Cell Therapy

The use of stem cells to promote bone healing is an area of active research. Early studies suggest that stem cell treatments could accelerate the healing process, particularly in cases of delayed union or nonunion.

Ultrasound and Electromagnetic Stimulation

Non-invasive treatments using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound or electromagnetic field stimulation have shown promise in accelerating bone healing, especially for difficult-to-heal fractures.

Personalized Medicine

Advances in genetic testing may soon allow doctors to tailor fracture treatments based on an individual’s genetic profile, potentially improving healing outcomes and reducing complications.

These innovations offer hope for improved fracture care in the future, potentially reducing healing times, minimizing pain, and improving long-term outcomes for patients with bone fractures.

Bone Fractures and Broken Bones

What Is a Bone Fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone. It can be anything from a small crack to a bone that has separated and moves out of place.

Bone fracture symptoms include:

• Sharp pain.
• Swelling.
• Bruising.

Doctors can often treat bone fractures with a cast or splint. Severe breaks may need surgery.

Fractures are one of the most common injuries to bones. A Lancet study found that there are about 178 million fractures a year worldwide. About 18.3 million of those are in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative.

By the time they’re 65, about half of all Americans will have broken a bone. These fractures range in severity and treatment.

What are the types of bone fractures?

Bones can break in different ways. The angle and degree of the crack matter when doctors are deciding how to treat the fracture.

Types of bone breaks include:

• Stress fracture: A tiny crack in the bone, usually caused by a repetitive motion or force.
• Stable fracture: A “clean break” where the broken ends of the bone are still in alignment. This means the bones aren’t displaced.
• Compound fracture: Also known as an “open” fracture, this is when the bone has broken the skin. (You may or may not be able to see the bone.)
• Oblique fracture: The bone breaks in an angled pattern and has a curve or slope in the break. Sometimes oblique fractures are also displaced, meaning the bone is out of alignment.
• Transverse fracture: The bone has a horizontal fracture line and may or may not be out of place.
• Comminuted fracture: The bone breaks into three or more pieces, meaning there’s more than one fracture in the bone.

Causes of fractures and breaks

Common causes of bone fractures and breaks include:

• Falls.
• Sports injuries.
• Car accidents.

Children are at a high risk of breaks and fractures since their developing bones have weaker spots (growth plates) that expand as they grow.

As we age, our bones become less dense and weaker. This puts older adults at an increased risk of broken bones.

What Are Risk Factors and Complications of Bone Fractures and Breaks?

People of all ages can break a bone. Children, especially those who play sports, are at risk of fractures because they are so active.

But your risk for fractures goes up as you age. Half of adults over 50 — 54 million Americans — are at risk for breaking a bone because of low bone density.

Severe low bone density leads to osteoporosis. About one in two women and one in four men will break a bone during their life because of this disease.

In terms of complications, a broken bone or fracture can put you at risk of getting arthritis later.

If a bone isn’t realigned (put back into place) or repaired perfectly, it can cause more wear on a nearby joint. This increases your odds of getting arthritis in that joint.

Make an appointment for fractured or broken bone care

Request an appointment with a UPMC orthopaedic surgeon:

• Fill out an appointment form online.
• Call 1-866-987-6784.

Does a Broken Bone Hurt When Healing?

Pain is your body’s natural response when you break one of your bones. Immediately after you suffer the injury, an intense ache or sharp pain is typically produced by both the fracture and by other injuries to your body near the fracture site. Unfortunately, the pain doesn’t stop there. You may also experience pain during the fracture healing process.⁴⁰

The stages of pain during the healing process of a fracture

In general, there are three stages of pain following a bone fracture. These are referred to as acute pain, subacute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain usually occurs immediately after you suffer the injury. After about a week or two, the worst pain is usually over. What happens next is that the fractured bone and the surrounding soft tissue begin to heal. This takes a couple of weeks and the pain you might experience during this stage is called subacute pain. The last stage of pain is chronic pain. This type of pain continues long after the fracture and soft tissues may have healed.³⁹

All fractures cause either all or some of these types of pain.

Acute pain immediately after the injury

Immediately after you suffer a fracture, you will experience acute pain. During this stage, medication is often prescribed to reduce the worst pain. The acute pain will decrease with time.³⁹

After you’ve broken a bone, you may need surgery so the doctor can realign your broken bone, you may need a cast or other device to keep the broken bone immobile, or you may require some other medical treatment. No matter which method is used to treat your broken bone, the key is to realign the bone ends and immobilize the fracture for several weeks so the bone can set and heal properly. ³⁹

In order to make this stage of the healing process as smooth as possible, it is very important that you follow the instructions of your treating physician, especially about resting and avoiding unnecessary movements so your broken bone can heal properly.³⁹

Subacute pain while the bone is healing

After about a week or two, the worst pain will be over. What happens next is that the fractured bone and the soft tissue around it start to heal. This takes a couple weeks and is called subacute pain.³⁹

Subacute pain is mainly caused by the lack of movement that was necessary to help the bone heal. The inactivity may have stiffened the soft tissue around the injury and weakened the muscles. In addition to this, scarring and inflammation may have developed in the soft tissue while the fracture was healing. This may cause pain as well, and may make it difficult to move.³⁹

Physical therapy is often recommended at this stage of recovery. Physical therapists may help you reduce the stiffness by providing exercises that also strengthen the weakened muscles and improve your range of motion. This will help to reduce pain and improve the function of your body that was affected by the injury.³⁹

Chronic pain after the healing is complete

When you suffer a fracture, it will eventually heal and recover to the point that you no longer experience pain. Unfortunately, this does not happen for everyone. Some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have finished healing. This is what we call chronic pain.³⁹

Chronic pain may be caused by nerve damage, the development of scar tissue, aggravation of underlying arthritis, or other causes. Luckily, this type of pain often can be treated. The type of treatment depends on the initial injury and the cause of your chronic pain.³⁹

The most commonly used treatments for chronic pain are:³⁹

• Physical therapy
• Exercise
• Medication

These treatments are not guaranteed to resolve your pain, but they may help control and reduce the chronic pain. Most people are able to control their chronic pain, so they can get on with their day-to-day activities and enjoy a better quality of life.

However, for a small fraction of people who experience persistent, chronic pain, the pain may be one symptom that the broken bone is not healing properly. Other symptoms may include bone tenderness, swelling, and an aching pain felt deep within the bone.⁴¹

Most broken bones will heal if they have been properly aligned and immobilized. However, in order to heal, broken bones need an adequate supply of blood flowing to the site. Any condition that may impair blood flow to the fracture site may delay the bone healing or keep the bone from healing.⁴¹

One proven way to accelerate the bone healing process is with daily ultrasound stimulation of the broken bone tissue. EXOGEN is a device that delivers a low level of ultrasound waves to your broken bone. This stimulation has been shown to help speed up the processes involved in bone healing. ^*33,34

Read more about how EXOGEN´s bone stimulator works here, and find out if it’s right for you.

Fracture pain – General information, Causes. Tomsk

General information

Bone fracture is a complete or partial violation of the integrity of the bone under a load exceeding the strength of the injured part of the skeleton. Fractures can occur both as a result of trauma and as a result of various diseases accompanied by changes in the strength characteristics of bone tissue.

The severity of the condition in fractures is due to the size of the damaged bones and their number. Multiple fractures of large tubular bones lead to the development of massive blood loss and traumatic shock . Also, patients after such injuries are slowly recovering, recovery can take several months.

Pain at fractures

Characteristics of pain at a fracture: sharp pain at a fracture at a certain point of the damaged bone; hemorrhage and swelling of the surrounding soft tissues; change in the mobility and shape of the injured limb; sometimes a crunch of bone fragments. A characteristic sign of a rib fracture means pain when taking a deep breath and coughing.

Fractures are either closed or open when both skin and muscles are damaged. Sometimes fractures occur as a result of diseases accompanied by bone destruction (tumor, osteopyelitis).

Never attempt to repair a fracture yourself. In case of fractures of any bone, it is necessary first of all to provide it with complete rest and immobility, since any displacement causes sharp pain during a fracture and is fraught with a breakthrough of the skin, injury to blood vessels and bleeding.

Skull fractures. They occur as a result of a blow to the head with a hard object. Most often when struck by a falling stone, or when falling on stones. At the fracture site, the patient feels pain, there is a pronounced edema. With careful palpation of the fracture zone, you can feel how the bone fragments are displaced, but this cannot be done on purpose because of the risk of damage brain .

The main danger of skull fractures lies precisely in the possible damage to the brain . When the base of the skull is fractured, the patient usually develops dark bruises under the eyes or even around the eyes, a clear liquid, slightly colored with blood, may come out of the nose. The patient usually notes weakness, stupor, darkening in the eyes, may be disturbed by nausea , repeated vomiting.

Pay attention to the fact that in the first minutes after the injury, the patient may feel good, so good that it becomes simply impossible for him to assess his own condition. After this “light” period (it is also called the “period of imaginary well-being”), the condition of the victim may suddenly deteriorate sharply, up to cardiac arrest and breathing.

Fracture of the spine and extremities

Fracture of the spine occurs when falling from a height (or, conversely, hitting the head against the bottom when diving), a strong blow to the back (car accident, rockfall), falling under rubble. The main symptom is very severe back pain when trying to move. The danger in this case is the occurrence of damage to the spinal cord passing through the spinal canal. The spinal cord can be injured by fragments of the vertebrae in any of their displacement. In case spinal cord injury paralysis of the limbs or the whole body, manifested by complete loss of sensation and inability to move.

Fractures and dislocations of the bones of the hands may cause the following signs: pain along the bone, unnatural shape of the limb, unnatural mobility in the place where there is no joint (in the presence of a fracture), swelling.

If a fracture or dislocation of the bones of the hand is suspected bandage the hand to a wide (palm-width) splint so that the splint starts from the middle of the forearm and ends at the end of the fingers. A lump of cotton wool, a bandage must first be placed in the palm of the injured hand so that the fingers are somewhat bent. A cold object should be applied to the injury site.

Fractures and dislocations of the lower limb cause pain along the bone, swelling, unnatural shape in the place where there is no joint (in fractures). First aid: strengthen the diseased limb (as shown in Fig. 18) with a splint, plywood plate, stick, cardboard so that one end of the plate goes above the edge of the pelvis to the armpit, and the other reaches the heels. This achieves complete rest of the entire lower limb.

Fractured ribs usually occurs as a result of a fall from a height, chest compression, direct impact. The main symptom is sharp fracture pain, arising from:

The patient tries not to take deep breaths, so breathing becomes shallow. The main danger is possible damage to the pleura and lung with sharp edges of bone fragments. In case of lung injury, the patient may develop subcutaneous emphysema . In this case, smoothing of the intercostal spaces is noticeable, similar to edema.

Most often fracture of the clavicle occurs when falling on an outstretched arm, sometimes when falling on the shoulder joint or with a direct blow to the collarbone. The patient is concerned about pain in the clavicle when trying to move his hand. Usually the victim keeps his hand pressed to the body and resists any attempts to make movements of the hand. Outwardly visible clavicle deformity, edema in the area of ​​the fracture. With careful palpation of the fracture zone, sharp pain is noted. The outer part of the collarbone usually moves downward under the weight of the arm. Fractures of the clavicle may be accompanied by damage to the underlying vessels and nerves (brachial plexus).

Fracture of the pelvis

In terms of the number of concomitant injuries of internal organs and mortality , pelvic fractures are second only to skull fractures. This type of fracture can occur when the victim gets into a blockage, under a rockfall, when falling from a height, or a direct strong blow.

The main symptom of fracture of the pelvis is a very sharp pain with any attempt to change the position of the body. Sometimes, on examination, a change in the shape of the pelvis is noticeable. Sharp pains also occur when pressing on the pelvic bones with your hands. The patient usually lies on his back, with legs spread apart, half-bent at the knee and hip joints . At the site of impact, hematoma is usually determined.

It should be taken into account that pelvic fractures are often accompanied by damage to internal organs :

• bladder;

• rectum;

• urethra.

Outwardly, damage is manifested by the release of blood in the urine or feces. An additional danger is created by the possible development of traumatic shock in a patient . Remember that all unconscious patients with multiple injuries should be suspected of having a pelvic fracture unless proven otherwise.

reasons and help. Special vitamins Lady’s formula will help eliminate this problem.

Pain in the bones after a fracture is a natural phenomenon in the first few days. Inside the cavity that has appeared, blood accumulates, which leads to an inflammatory reaction, swelling of the tissues and a deterioration in blood circulation. When squeezing the nerve endings, painful sensations occur. After about a week, the healing process begins. What to do if the bones ache after a fracture during the recovery process?

Causes of pain

On the 10-30th day, the integrity of the bone tissue is restored. Pain at this time indicates impaired blood microcirculation. The cause may be an incorrectly applied plaster cast, followed by displacement of fragments of damaged bone tissue.

30-50 days after injury – this is the stage of fusion. In this place, a bone callus appears. In case of circulatory disorders or orthopedic pathologies, this process is disrupted.

Pain after a fracture can occur if the patient does not keep the rest recommended by the specialist. As a result, fragments are displaced.

Prolonged pain is a violation of the integrity of the nerves. In this case, a consultation with a neurologist with subsequent treatment is required.

What to pay attention to women

Here are some useful tips to help you recover quickly after a fracture:

• Rest and limitation of mobility in the first weeks. Follow the recommendations of a specialist, the injured limb should be immobilized.
• Moderate exercise during the recovery period. After removing the cast, physical therapy is recommended to restore the elasticity of the ligaments and the mobility of the limb. Exercises should be performed under the supervision of a specialist.
• Balanced diet. Poor food, lack of vitamins and minerals can slow down the recovery process. That is why the diet should be filled with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements.
• Taking supplements. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can take supplements to strengthen bone tissue with calcium and D3. Such vitamins will help get rid of pain, achieve full bone fusion.

An additional source of useful substances can be Lady’s formula complexes, created taking into account the needs of the female body. To prevent fractures and osteoporosis, you can take the Lady’s formula Bone Tissue Strengthening complex – the only complex created specifically for women with optimal doses of calcium and vitamin D3, an optimal ratio of Ca and magnesium 2:1, which ensures maximum absorption of calcium and prevents calcium precipitation in the kidneys, soft tissues . In addition to calcium, it contains 9 more important trace elements for increasing bone strength (boron, silicon, potassium, copper, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, zinc), vitamin D3, folic acid, 6 extracts of medicinal plants – sources of organic calcium, phosphorus, sulfur and iodine , which prevent the leaching of calcium from the bones, inhibit the destruction of bone tissue, stimulating its formation and increasing strength:

• boron prevents the loss of calcium in bone tissue, prevents the development of osteoporosis, diseases of the spine;
• Spirulina algae contain vitamin K, which increases the production of osteocalcin, the main bone protein that provides bone mineral density, minimizing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis;
• organic silicon promotes bone mineralization, participates in the synthesis of collagen.