Fractures

WHAT IS FRACTURE

1. Break in continuity of bone is a fracture.
2. Fractures range from partial cracks to complete breaks.

CAUSES

1. Traumatic: Fracture caused by injury.
2. Pathological: Fracture caused in weak/ diseased bones like in osteoporosis, infection, malignancy etc.
3. Stress: Repetitive stress at a site can cause the bone to yield and lead to fracture.

TYPES

1. With associated wound

1. Closed: Fractures without wound at fracture site.
2. Compound: Fractures with open wound at fracture site. These are more prone to infection, delayed healing and non-union.

1. Location
   1. Extra articular: Fracture not extending into the joint.
   2. Intra articular: Fracture extending into the joint. More likely to need surgery.
2. According to fracture pattern:

1. Simple 2 fragment/ multiple fragment (comminutted)
2. Transverse/oblique/spiral/compression/greenstick/ torus etc.

SYMPTOMS

1. Pain
2. Swelling/ bruise/ wound
3. Deformity/ abnormal mobility
4. Difficulty/ inability to use limb

TREATMENT

1. Conservative:

1. Usually used in undisplaced fracture/ extra articular fractures/ in kids and in some high risk elderly patients.
2. Treatment consists of rest, splinttage of the limb (plaster slab or cast), medicines to reduce pain and inflammation, other supportive and symptomatic treatment.

 

1. Surgery: usually opted in more complex fractures/ intra articular fractures/ compound injuries/ elderly patients. Various fixation tools used are plates/ screws/ k wires/ nails etc.