Orthopedics is the field of medicine that is centered on surgery or manipulation of the musculoskeletal system to address all the conditions and diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system in individuals of all ages.
Orthopedic conditions can be treated operatively and nonoperatively through physical therapy, medications, exercise, alternate therapies, or an array of surgical procedures. There are a few procedures that require very minimal invasiveness and are less traumatic to the body than traditional open surgery.
Common Types of Fractures
A fracture is a common injury that can affect any bone in the body. When a bone receives a blow that is difficult to tolerate, it can break or get fractured. Fractures typically result from a fall, any high-intensity physical activity, a motor vehicle accident, or any kind of sports injury. However, some fractures can be caused by the condition called osteoporosis, in which the bones get weakened bu overuse or the repetitive motion.
From minor to severe there are multiple types of fractures including the following:
- Greenstick: It occurs when there’s a crack on one side of a bone that doesn’t affect the bone through it.
- Complete: It occurs when a bone is completely broken.
- Stress: Hairline crack caused by overuse or repetitive motion.
- Open or compound fracture: It occurs when the bone breaks through the skin or the force cause an open wound at the time of the fracture.
- Transverse: Also called the horizontal line fracture.
- Comminuted: It occurs when the bone breaks into three or more pieces.
Symptoms:
As numerous types of fractures also vary in degrees and severity, however, they all have the same symptoms. If you have a fracture then you might experience these symptoms:
- Swelling and tenderness around the affected area.
- Bruising and pain in or around the area.
- Loss of function and limited range of motion
- Inability to bear weight on the affected area.
Diagnosis:
As soon as you experience these symptoms, you must consult the orthopedic for the physical examination. Based on your explanation and their observation you might have to undergo an x-ray to find out the cause and severity of the condition.
Treatment:
Once the severity of the condition and location is determined we decide what treatment method will work best to heal your fractured bones. The methods of treatment will depend on the severity and type of fracture. The most commonly used method to treat fractured bones is cast immobilization. A plaster or fiberglass cast is applied to the fracture that keeps the ends of the bones in the proper position as they heal. Surgery is required in cases of an open fracture or when the bone breaks through the skin.