Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Fracture Care

No matter whether you call it a fracture or a broken bone, both terms describe the same thing: the loss of continuity of bone. Bones break in many different ways, hairline fractures to a complete shatter. Common types of fractures include:

  • Stable – the broken ends of the bone line up
  • Open, compound – the bone sticks out of the skin/skin around the fracture is compromised
  • Transverse – the bone is broken in a horizontal line
  • Oblique – the bone is broken at an angle
  • Comminuted – the bone has shattered into three or more pieces

Common symptoms of a fracture include:

  • Severe pain and/or lack of movement in the area of the injury
  • Swelling and tenderness around the injury
  • Bruising or discoloration

While many times a fracture can be obvious, some types of fracture may not be. For example, if everything looks OK externally but you find that you cannot put weight on the affected area, a fracture is more likely. Some fractures can be life-threatening, therefore all require immediate attention. Open fractures, for example, expose bone to the environment, increasing the risk of infection.

Fractures do not discriminate – they can happen to anyone regardless of age. However, the risk of a fracture increases with age as a result of age-associated thinning and weakening of bone. Common causes of fractures include trauma (such as a fall, car accident or sports injury); Osteoporosis; and overuse, which can stress a bone, resulting in a fracture.

While some fractures will heal on their own, it is best to have every fracture examined by a medical professional. The most common types of treatment for fractures are casting or bracing. Sometimes surgical treatment is necessary to ensure bones are properly aligned so the body can rebuild the bone.

King’s Daughters specialists treat fractures of all types, including:

  • Fingers
  • Elbows
  • Hips
  • Legs
  • Arms
  • Shoulder
  • Wrist
  • Knee
Related Locations