Many people are not sure about when to seek medical attention when it comes to bone fractures. As long as there is no bleeding, a lot of people attempt to self-treat and wish away the symptoms.
Taking this route comes with risks because a broken bone could come with complications. You could develop an infection or the fracture could heal improperly or out of position. This could lead to further complications and lifelong symptoms. A bone fracture that is not diagnosed and treated properly could also lead to osteoarthritis in the future.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about bone fractures.
What Are the Common Causes of Bone Fractures?
The most common causes of bone fractures are trauma due to sports, exercise, a bad fall, or a vehicular accident. Joint overuse and misuse can also cause fractures. While your bones have some flexibility, too much stress can cause them to break. For the elderly, osteoporosis is a major contributing factor to bone fractures.
What Are The Symptoms of a Bone Fracture?
So, you’ve suffered a bad fall and landed on your forearm and hand. How do you know you’ve sustained a bone fracture without there being an open wound? It may be difficult to tell without medical training. However, a bone fracture does come with symptoms such as severe pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, and limited function and range of motion.
Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, symptoms may vary. A displaced fracture, where the bone snaps into two or more parts, is obvious because there is an apparent deformity. For non-displaced fractures, where the bone did not separate, the symptom may only be a pain. The only way to know the type of bone fracture you’ve sustained is through an X-ray. This is why if you sustain an injury, it is important to see a doctor get an accurate diagnosis.
What Are The Different Types of Bone Fractures?
There are different types of bone fractures. There is a classification system for fractures according to the type of fracture and severity you incur.
Open fractures are fractures where bone fragments puncture the skin. This constitutes for immediate emergency care. Incomplete fractures are fractures that do not completely break the bone. Displaced fractures cause fragments of the bone to no longer align, which requires realignment by a doctor. Non-displaced fractures have bone fragments that are aligned and simply need immobilization and time to heal.
Will a Fracture Heal on Its Own?
Incomplete and non-displaced fractures may heal on their own, however, to get a proper diagnosis, you have to see a doctor. The doctor may need to immobilize the area to ensure proper alignment and lack of disturbance as your bone heals. Displaced fractures need to be realigned and immobilized. For bone fractures that have broken into many pieces, the doctor may need to perform surgery and realign the pieces using artificial components to hold them together in place.
How Do I Best Avoid Bone Fractures?
An orthopedic doctor specializing in sports medicine can help you prevent bone fractures. If you live a fairly active lifestyle or have osteoporosis, you should take injury prevention seriously. There are lifestyle modifications you can make to minimize injury risk.
Clinton Township Urgent Care Canter for Bone Fractures
If you need urgent care for a bone fracture, the orthopedic doctors at Movement Orthopedics are here to help. We will evaluate your condition and make a diagnosis, so you can start treatment immediately. We have the expertise and equipment to fulfill all your orthopedic needs.
We welcome walk-ins in our urgent care clinic in Clinton Township. You can also call us to schedule a consultation at (586) 436-3785 or send an appointment request.
