Bone Fracture
Surgery
Surgery
What is Bone
Fracture?
When an extensive force applied to a bone is more than the bone can withstand, a shattered bone or bone fracture happens. This affects the bone’s strength & structure, causing pain, functional loss, and occasionally bleeding and damage in the nearby tissues.
Traumas like falls, accidents, or sports injuries are often the reason for bone fractures. The chance of developing a particular type of fracture can, however, be increased by several medical conditions and repeated stress. Bone fractures are a highly frequent injury that can occur at any age. Ask your bone doctor to conduct a bone density test if you are older than 50 years or have a family history of Osteoporosis. Depending on the type of break, the patient’s age, health, and other factors, the healing time for broken bones ranges from 4-8 weeks. You could require bone fracture surgery to fix a broken bone. Some people’s bones can recover with just a splint, brace, cast, or sling.
Signs & Symptoms of a Fractured Bone
Depending on the specific bone and the extent of the damage, a fracture may cause the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Numbness and Tingling
- Swelling
- Bruising or discoloration of the skin.
- Tenderness
- A physical limitation that prevents you from moving a body component normally.
- A lump or deformity that is not usually present on your body.
What causes
Bone Fractures?
Traumas are usually often the root cause of bone fractures. Anything may fracture a bone in your body if it strikes it hard enough. Among the most common causes are:
- Trauma
- Falling from a height
- Vehicle Accidents
- Direct Blow
In some cases, a bone may fracture on its own without any external force. Stress fractures can develop due to repetitive motions, such as jogging or sports participation. Similar to overuse syndrome in your hands and arms, overusing a single action or motion over an extended period can cause it. If you have osteoporosis, your chance of breaking a bone is substantially increased.
Bone Fractures Dos and Don’ts
You should be aware of the proper actions to take when encountering a bone fracture because they cannot always be avoided.
Do’s
- The best course of action after a bone fracture is to see an orthopedic immediately. You just need to wear a cast, brace, or splint to effectively immobilize the wounded area if you have a simple bone fracture. Your orthopedic physician will probably recommend bone fracture surgery for the complete healing of major bone fractures.
- Ensure that your cast remains dry. Fiberglass casts lose their efficacy when exposed to water, which also causes plastic casts to break down.
Don’ts
- If the bone protrudes, resist the urge to correct or force it in.
- To ensure that the damage heals properly, your doctor will advise you to wear the cast for a predetermined period. Consequently, regardless of how inconvenient you may feel, you're not supposed to take it off early.
What are the
Different Types of bone fractures?
There are several types of fractures, including:
- Closed (simple) fracture - Closed fractures are caused when a bone breaks but does not puncture the skin.
- Open (compound) fracture - A fractured bone protrudes through the skin, or a wound leads to the fracture site.
- Hairline fracture - This fracture frequently affects the foot or lower leg after being repeatedly stressed during activities like jogging or running.
- Compression fracture - When two bones are pressed up against one another, this type of fracture can happen. This kind of fracture can occur in the vertebrae and the spine's bones.
- Greenstick fracture - The bone has a small, narrow break in it. Children are susceptible to this because their bones are more malleable than those of an adult.
What tests are done
to diagnose bone fractures?
At least one of the following imaging procedures will be required to capture images of your fracture:
- X-Ray - Your bones' degree of damage and any fractures will be assessed via an X-ray.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - An MRI may be performed by your doctor to obtain a full view of the damage to your bones and the surrounding tissue.
- CT Scan - Compared to an X-ray, a CT scan will provide your doctor or surgeon with a more thorough view of your bones and the surrounding tissue.
- Bone Scan - A bone scan is used by doctors to detect fractures that aren't visible on an X-ray. This scan takes longer, generally two visits four hours apart, but it can help locate certain fractures.
How are bone fractures treated
at Wockhardt Hospitals?
Depending on the type of fracture, what caused it, and the degree of bone damage, a doctor will decide how to treat you, or a bone fracture operation should be done on you:
Immobilization
You could simply require a cast or splint if your fracture is minor and your bones did not shift much out of position. During three to five weeks, splinting is typical. If a cast is required, it will likely be required for a longer period of time, usually six to eight weeks. To ensure your bones are healing/mending properly in both situations, you’ll probably need further scans.
Close Reduction
For more serious breaks, a closed reduction is necessary to straighten your bones. Your healthcare professional will physically push and pull on the exterior of your body during this non-surgical technique to align the damaged bones inside of you. Your doctor will place you in a cast or splint following the closed reduction.
Bone Fracture Surgery
Bone fracture surgery is required for some bone fractures. There are a few methods your surgeon may use, depending on the type of fracture you have and the degree of bone damage.
- Internal fixation - Generally, they carry out a procedure known as internal fixation, in which the surgeon inserts metal into your bone to keep it in place while it heals. To allow your bones to mend and grow back together, the surgeon will realign them into the proper position and then secure them. To ensure that your bone can mend completely, you'll need to limit how much you utilize that area of your body. Some people live their entire lives with these parts implanted in them. You may require more procedures to eliminate them.
- External Fixation - You could require an external fixation in some cases. The surgeon will insert screws into your bone on each side of the fracture within your body, then link them to a brace or bracket wrapped around the bone outside your body. This is generally a temporary bone fracture repair to support your fracture and give it time to heal before you receive an internal fixation.
- Joint Replacement Surgery - If you fracture a joint, such as your shoulder, elbow, or knee, you may require joint replacement surgery. Your surgeon will replace the injured joint with an artificial joint. Metal, ceramic, or heavy-duty plastic can be used to make the prosthetic joint.
- Bone Grafting - If your fracture has a significant displacement or if your bone isn't reintegrating properly, bone grafting may be necessary. Your surgeon will reattach your shattered bone by inserting more bone tissue.
How long does it take
bone fracture surgery to heal?
Age, diet, general health, and the kind of fracture determine how long it takes for a person to heal from a fracture. However, full recovery might take longer; the new bone begins to develop a few weeks after the injury. Usually, a fracture may be healed in 6 to 8 weeks. You ought to be able to begin moving again after a couple of weeks, depending on the kind of immobilization or bone fracture procedures you had to do for the bone fracture treatment. It may take a year or longer for more serious fractures to heal. Ask your doctor or surgeon for further information on what to anticipate throughout your recovery.
What are the
Risk Factors for Bone Fracture Surgery
Although there are risks associated with all surgeries, knowing about them can help you and your physician make a more informed choice.
- Internal Damage - Fractures can harm the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and ligaments in the vicinity of the injury.
- Malunion - This happens when your damaged bones do not align properly while they mend.
- Nonunion - Your bones may not heal completely or at all.
- Bone Infection - If you have an open fracture, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection.
- Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) - A buildup of pressure in your muscles may prevent blood from reaching tissue, resulting in lasting muscle and nerve damage.
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Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Life Wins Stories
Paresh Vyas
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Meena Kothari
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
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