What Is A Bone Fracture?

Jun 15, 2018

A fracture refers to when a bone cracks or breaks and any bone is susceptible to one. Fractures are classified as either compound (open) or simple (closed) where compound fractures comprise of clean breaks that only affect the bone, while simple fractures also impact the surrounding tissue. There are several different types of fractures and all require immediate orthopedic treatment.

Types of Bone Fractures

The most common types of fractures that are treated by our Atlanta orthopedic doctors include:

  • Transverse
  • Oblique
  • Hairline
  • Impacted
  • Spiral
  • Compression
  • Stress

Defining Each Type

  • Transverse – A break that occurs directly across a bone.
  • Oblique – A tilted or diagonal break.
  • Hairline – A partial or limited break that only impacts a minor portion of the bone. Because of how small hairline fractures are, imaging devices are often required for diagnoses.
  • Impacted – When a portion of a broken bone is pushed into another area of the bone.
  • Compression – most often found within the spine, this particular type of fracture refers to a complete breakdown of the bone.
  • Stress – A break that occurs as a result of repetitive actions that add significant stress and pressure to the bones. Mostly affects athletes.

Symptoms

Patients with a bone fracture often experience a combination of:

  • Inflammation
  • Deep bruises
  • Redness
  • Dull to sharp pain

 

Fractures typically diminish or temporarily eliminate personal mobility although results vary by each individual.

Orthopedic Treatment For Bone Fractures

Treatment is dictated by the characteristics of each patient’s fracture. Still, rest is always recommended and serves as the most critical aspect of any treatment program. Applying ice to the affected area tends to help reduce inflammation and numb any pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers may be prescribed to help address pain and inflammation. Most patients have their fracture immobilized for a particular length of time using a plaster cast, a sling, or crutches.

Complex fractures may require pins, screws, or nails to realign and keep the broken bone in place while it heals. Once you have fully recovered, most patients undergo physiotherapy to help restrengthen the damaged area, as well as restore mobility.

For stress fractures, patients are required to rest and refrain from any type of mild activity for up to eight weeks.

Avoiding Bone Fractures

Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet, exercising several times each week, and consuming plenty of calcium can help reduce the odds of experiencing a bone fracture. Carrying excess weight adds a tremendous amount of pressure and stress to the joints, as well as the bones, making them more susceptible to breaks. Smoking cigarettes also influences bone loss and can prevent you from completely recovering after an accident injury occurs.

SHARE:

Search

Contact Us

    • SMS OPT-IN: By submitting this form and providing your phone number, you agree to receive SMS updates and messages from AICA ORTHOPEDICS, PC standard messaging rates may apply.
    • PHONE / EMAIL OPT-IN: By submitting this form you consent to be contacted by AICA ORTHOPEDICS, PC via phone call and/or email at the contact information provided.
    • PRIVACY POLICY: We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. We will not share, sell, or disclose any of your information to third parties without your consent, except as required by law. Your data is used solely for the purpose of providing and improving our services, and any communication from us will be in line with the preferences you have selected. We take appropriate security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Visit one of our 17 Metro Atlanta Locations

Winder

16 Lee St Winder, GA 30680

McDonough

259 Jonesboro Rd McDonough, GA 30253

Lawrenceville

217 Scenic Hwy S, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Stone Mountain

1000 Main Street, Ste C Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Macon

626 1st St Macon, GA 31201

Newnan

2700 Highway 34 East Newnan, GA 30265

Duluth

3775 Venture Drive, Building F Duluth, GA 30096

Chamblee Tucker

3166 Chestnut Drive Connector, Suite 100, 200 Atlanta, GA 30340

College Park

1624 Virginia Avenue College Park, GA 30337

Conyers

2375 Wall Street Southeast #135 Conyers, GA 30013

Jonesboro

750 Mount Zion Road Jonesboro, GA 30236

Kennesaw

3825 Cherokee Street Northwest Kennesaw, GA 30144

Lithia Springs

530 Thornton Road Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Marietta

1965 North Park Place Southeast, Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30339

Snellville

2346 Wisteria Drive, Suite 110 Snellville, GA 30078

Stockbridge

260 Corporate Center Drive, Suite E Stockbridge, GA 30281

Buckhead

2045 Peachtree Road Northwest, Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30309