Whether it’s a fracture from a trauma- such as a fall, blow or other event - or a fracture associated with a tumor, our physicians are trained in both non-surgical and surgical treatments. The team will work with you to determine the best options to treat your injury.
Diagnosing a Traumatic Fracture:
In most cases, a person will know immediately after an injury whether they have broken a bone. They hear a snap or cracking sound as a result of the trauma. The area around the fracture will swell and become tender and sensitive to the touch. In some cases, part of the injured bone may puncture the skin.
Broken bones are identified according to the direction of the fracture, as well as the severity of the fracture. Types of fractures include:
- Closed (simple) fracture – the bone is broken but skin is not lacerated
- Open (compound) fracture – Skin may be punctured by the bone, or due to the traumatic event causing the fracture
- Transverse fracture – fracture is at right angle to the long axis of the bone
- Greenstick fracture – one side of the bone is fractured, causing the bone to bow
- Comminuted fracture – a fracture that results in three or more bone fragments
Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone:
- Swelling or bruising over a bone
- Deformity of an arm or leg
- Pain in the injured area that gets worse when the area is moved or pressure applied
- Loss of function of the injured area
- Part of a bone protruding from the skin
Treatment Methods:
There are several ways to treat a broken bone, and each depends on the individual case.
Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Fracture brace
- Fracture boot
- Casting
- Reducing and splinting
Surgical Treatments:
- Plate fixation
- Screw fixation
- Pin/wire fixation
- Titanium rod fixation
- External fixation
- Prosthetic replacement
