Fractures

The treatment of fractures involves the diagnosis, stabilization, and management of broken bones to ensure proper healing, relieve pain, and restore normal function. Whether your fracture is minor or more severe, timely medical intervention and comprehensive care greatly improves your recovery outcome. 

What Is a Fracture? 

A fracture occurs when a bone cracks, partially breaks, or completely separates due to physical injury or trauma. Fractures range from small hairline stress fractures to complex breaks that may require surgical intervention. Typical signs of a fracture include sudden pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or difficulty moving the injured limb.

Bones provide structure, strength, and support to the body; therefore, having a fracture can significantly interfere with daily activities. Because of this, recognizing a fracture early and selecting the right treatment approach allows for a smoother, quicker recovery and helps prevent long-term issues related to bone stability.

Difference Between a Fracture and a Broken Bone

Many patients wonder if there's a difference between a fracture and a broken bone. These terms mean the same thing. A fracture is simply the medical term for any broken bone, regardless of severity.

Causes of Fractures

Fractures tend to occur as a result of the following:

• Traumatic injuries such as vehicle accidents or falls.
• Sports-related impacts or collisions.
• Osteoporosis and other conditions impacting bone density and fractures.
• Repetitive stress injuries from activities like running or jumping.

Types of Fractures

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are tiny cracks that result from repetitive force or overuse, often seen in athletes or individuals beginning a new exercise routine. They typically occur in weight-bearing bones like the feet or lower legs.

Simple Fractures

A simple fracture, sometimes called a closed fracture, happens when the bone breaks but doesn’t quite pierce the skin. These injuries require medical evaluation to allow for correct healing alignment.

Compound Fractures

Compound fractures (also known as open fractures) involve a broken bone piercing through the skin. This type of injury demands immediate medical care to reduce the risk of infection or further complications.

Greenstick, Comminuted, and Other Fracture Types

• Greenstick fractures usually affect children due to their softer, more flexible bones, resulting in incomplete breaks.
• Comminuted fractures involve a bone that shatters into several pieces, often requiring surgery and orthopedic fixation.
• Oblique and transverse fractures describe specific break patterns based on their direction across the bone.

Fracture Symptoms: How to Know If You Have a Broken Bone

Common fracture symptoms can help indicate when medical attention is needed. Signs of a fracture include:

• Sudden, sharp pain at the injury site
• Swelling or bruising
• Visible deformity or abnormal bone positioning
• Difficulty or inability to move the injured area
• Tenderness and warmth around the affected bone

Fracture Diagnosis

Orthopedic specialists use thorough diagnostic methods to identify the type and severity of each fracture. Based on this information, they develop a personalized treatment plan designed to support optimal healing and promote a smooth return to daily activities.

Physical Examination

During a physical examination, your orthopedic provider assesses the affected area for swelling, deformity, tenderness, and limitations in movement. This initial evaluation helps determine the extent of your injury and guides further diagnostic testing is necessary.

X-Ray

The most common imaging method used to evaluate fractures is an X-ray. This test identifies the exact location, pattern, and severity of your fracture to help your provider develop a targeted treatment plan.

MRI

An MRI provides detailed images of bones and surrounding soft tissues. It is especially useful in the diagnosis of stress fractures and in detecting soft tissue injuries that are not visible on standard X-rays.

CT Scans

For complex or comminuted fractures, CT scans offer detailed three-dimensional images. These images help your specialist precisely evaluate the fracture, facilitating decisions regarding potential surgical treatments.

How to Treat a Fracture

Treatment for a fracture depends on the injury’s location, type, and severity. Your orthopedic specialist will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your specific diagnosis, symptoms, and individual recovery goals. The following are common approaches to fracture treatment:

Casting & Splinting

A cast and splint stabilize bones, keeping them secure when healing during recovery. This method is recommended for simple or minimally displaced fractures.

Surgery

For more advanced fractures, especially open or comminuted ones, orthopedic surgery might be required. Surgical intervention helps realign and stabilize the bone, which supports optimal healing of the affected bone.

Orthopedic Fixation

Orthopedic fixation techniques such as plates, screws, or rods maintain bone stability while fractures heal, aiding in recovery outcomes for more extensive cases.

Physical Therapy

Following initial treatment, physical therapy for fractures also plays a key role in restoring strength, flexibility, and normal function to the affected area.

Fracture Healing Time

Fracture healing duration varies depending on the injury’s severity, location, your age, and general health condition. Adults over 50 or those with a family history of osteoporosis should consider speaking with their provider about bone density testing as a precaution.

More times than not, simple fractures heal within 6 to 8 weeks. Complex or severe fractures requiring surgery may take several months. For this reason, attending follow-up appointments helps monitor healing progress and address any complications early.

Before scheduling an appointment, patients are encouraged to review their insurance coverage. Since insurance networks can change, it’s a good idea to confirm details with your provider or visit our insurance information page for the most up-to-date list of accepted plans.