Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture
A crack in your bone due to trauma or stress can lead to a fracture. People diagnosed with osteoporosis and bone cancer are also at an increased risk of developing fractures. Depending on the severity of the trauma, a fracture could be closed (the bone cracks but doesn’t break through your skin) or comminuted (the bone breaks into multiple pieces). If you suspect a fracture, get to the nearest orthopedic hospital in Navi Mumbai for the best care.
Common Causes of Fractures
i) Accidents and falls:
Healthy bones are strong enough to withstand pressure effortlessly. However, if you experience a serious fall or an accident that puts a great deal of force on your bones, they might break.
ii) Sports injuries:
Sports that require a lot of twisting and turning can cause fractures. People involved in sports can develop spiral, transverse, comminuted, hairline, and stress fractures.
iii) Osteoporosis and bone weakening conditions:
With age, your bone density and resilience decrease significantly, making you more prone to sustaining a fracture even with low-impact trauma.
Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture
a) Pain and tenderness:
Intense pain on the injured site is the hallmark symptom of a fracture. It’s your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right and requires medical attention. People with fractures might feel pain when touching the site, moving it, or putting weight on it. It may not get better with rest.
b) Swelling and bruising:
The tissue damage can cause swelling, which won’t go down. You might also notice bruising (your skin turning blue, purple, or yellow) that indicates bleeding under your skin.
c) Deformity or abnormal appearance:
Fractured bone appears deformed, as the bone breaks and causes a significant misalignment. In some cases, the bone may pierce through the skin, which makes its deformity pretty obvious.
d) Inability to move or bear weight:
Bone fractures are extremely painful. The pain, combined with swelling and nerve damage, can restrict your movement. You won’t be able to lift weights or perform any physical activity until the bone gets back in shape.
Types of Fractures
Fractures are classified into different types based on the severity of the wound.
1) Simple vs. compound fractures:
In simple fractures, your bones crack but do not penetrate the skin. So, there’s no visible open wound. Compound fracture does penetrate the skin and requires immediate medical care.
2) Stress fractures:
It refers to a small crack in your bones caused by repetitive movements or overuse of your bones.
3) Greenstick and comminuted fractures:
Greenstick fractures are more likely to occur in children, as they have soft, flexible bones. The bone bends and cracks slightly without breaking completely. Comminuted fractures are more severe and are often caused by a serious fall or an accident. In this, the bone breaks into multiple pieces. You must see a fracture treatment doctor in Navi Mumbai if there’s a noticeable deformity combined with excruciating pain and a severe misalignment of the bones after an injury. Medical treatment is specifically required if the pain persists and you experience restricted movements.